Agnibaan (SOrTeD) Rocket

What’s in this Article?

Table of Contents
- Why in the News?
- What is Agnibaan?
- Importance of the Launch
- 3D Printing
- Rocket Specifications
- Important Facts
- IN-SPACe
- Why in the News?
Chennai-headquartered space start-up Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited launched the world’s first rocket — Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD) — with a single piece 3D-printed engine from Sriharikota at 7.15 a.m. on Thursday (May 30, 2024).
Agnibaan SOrTeD is India’s first launch from a private launchpad, called ‘Dhanush’, established by Agnikul. It is also India’s first semi-cryogenic engine-powered rocket launch and the world’s first single piece 3D-printed engine designed and built indigenously.
According to details shared by the start-up, the main objective of this mission, which is also the first flight of Agnikul, is to serve as a test flight, showcase home-grown and indigenous technologies, collect critical flight data and ensure optimal To do. Functioning of systems for Agnikul’s orbital launch vehicle, ‘Agnibaan’.

What is Agnibaan?
Agnibaan is a two-stage rocket with a capacity to carry up to 300 kg to a height of 700 km.
The rocket engines are powered by liquid oxygen or kerosene.
It can access both low- and high-inclination orbits and is completely mobile, designed for accessing more than 10 launch ports, as per the company.
Agnibaan used India’s first semi-cryogenic engine, which uses a mix of liquid and gas for propellant. Liquid propellants can be reused and are safer than solid propellants.
Semi-cryogenic engines help increase payload capacity, reduce launch costs and improve the overall reliability and performance of the launch vehicles.
Agnibaan SOrTeD ( SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator) is a suborbital technological demonstrator of the Agnibaan launch vehicle, manufactured by Indian space startup Agnikul Cosmos.
The SOrTeD mission is a single-stage launch vehicle demonstration that is powered by a semi-cryogenic engine called the Agnilet.

Importance of the Launch
The launch of Agnibaan SOrTeD is notable for multiple reasons:
- It marks the first launch from a private launchpad in India.
- It represents India’s inaugural launch of a rocket powered by a semi-cryogenic engine.
- It will showcase the world’s first entirely 3D-printed engine, designed and manufactured domestically.

3D printing is also known as additive manufacturing which uses materials such as plastics and metals to convert products envisaged on computer-aided design to real three-dimensional items.

It is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing which is cutting out/hollowing out a piece of metal or plastic with, for instance, a milling machine.

Rocket Specifications
The Agnibaan rocket stands 18 meters tall and has a diameter of 1.3 meters.
It is capable of carrying a 100-kilogram payload to an altitude of 700 kilometers.
The rocket uses liquid oxygen (LOX) stored in a cryogenic tank and kerosene as propellants.
Additionally, it is equipped with a thrust vector controlled, gimballed motor that allows the nozzle to change angles, enabling the thrust to alter the rocket’s flight direction.

Maiden Flight Overview
Agnibaan’s maiden flight will be sub-orbital, indicating the rocket will not enter space.
It will launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India, following a fully guided, vertical ascent.
Upon reaching an altitude of 10 km, the rocket will start its descent, landing in the Bay of Bengal approximately 30 km from its launch point.

Engine Design
Agnikul’s rocket features a two-stage configuration.
- The first stage includes a cluster of ‘Agnite’ engines, while the second stage is powered by the ‘Agnilet’ engine.
Both types of engines are semi-cryogenic, utilizing a mixture of refined kerosene (kept at room temperature) and supercooled liquid oxygen.
- These engines, designed and manufactured by Agnikul in India, are notable for being the world’s first single-piece, 3D-printed engines.

Key Characteristics
The initial stage of the Agnibaan rocket is adaptable, allowing for the installation of four to seven engines based on the mission’s needs.
These engines are driven by fuel pumps that use batteries and electric motors for power.
For secure export and transportation, the rocket is designed without explosives or pyrotechnics, employing pneumatic systems for stage separation instead.

Private Rocket Launch Pad and Mission Control Center
In November 2022, Agnikul introduced India’s first privately owned rocket launch pad and mission control center, located at the ISRO spaceport in Sriharikota.
The company is developing a technique to launch rockets from a platform mounted on the back of a truck, offering greater flexibility and mobility than conventional launch systems.

Test Launch Objectives
The test launch of Agnibaan will include all the avionics, telemetry, and guidance systems typically utilized in its commercial missions.
The main goal of this test flight is to verify the company’s technology and demonstrate the functionality of the vehicle’s various systems and sub-systems.

Important Facts
Agnikul Cosmos was established in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran and Moin SPM, who are both graduates of IIT Madras.
The company has secured investments from multiple sources, such as pi Ventures, Speciale Invest, and Artha Venture Fund.
Agnikul Cosmos has partnered with several entities, including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Department of Space (DoS), and the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development.

IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre)
Nodal Agency: It is a single-window, independent, autonomous agency under the Department of Space (DOS).
Aim: It is formed following the Space sector reforms to enable and facilitate the participation of private players and acts as an interface between ISRO and Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) to utilize India’s space resources better.
Function: IN-SPACe is responsible to promote, enable, authorize and supervise various space activities of non-governmental entities including building launch vehicles & satellites and providing space-based services.

It will enable sharing space infrastructure and premises under the control of DOS/ISRO and establishing of new space infrastructure and facilities.

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