Groundbreaking Achievement For Bharat Private Space Enterprise Agnikul Cosmos-Launches Its 1st 3-D Printed Rocket Engine Agnibaan -SOrTeD
- Ananya Sharma
- Jun 5, 2024
- 4 min read
Hello, Everyone!
A historic feat for Bharatiya's burgeoning private space enterprise was observed on the 30th of May 2024, when Bharat's private space startup Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited launched its world's first single-stage launch vehicle Agnibaan -SOrTeD {Sub Orbital Technology Demostrator} powered by indigenous semi-cryogenic Agnilet engine which is 100% 3-D printed from Shriharikota.
Pic Source: Indian Express
What is 3-D printing technology?
By 3-D printing technology or additive manufacturing technology, we refer to a computer-regulated technology in which 3-D objects are created by accumulating materials in layers. The CAD {Computer Aided Design} or 3-D object scanners are employed for building objects with specific geometrical shapes. These are created by the deposition of material layer by layer
What do we mean by a Semi-cryogenic engine?
Semi-cryogenic engines are a class of rocket engines that use a mixture of liquid and gaseous propellants. They are referred to as Semi cryogenic because they work at comparatively increased temperatures than cryogenic engines {engines that use propellants at very low temperatures i.e. -150 centigrade} but lower than conventional rocket engines.
Refined Kerosene is used rather than liquid hydrogen as a fuel which will burn and form expansive gases that render the requisite thrust to power a rocket engine. To ignite the fuel, in this case, refined kerosene; an oxidizer is needed i.e. Oxygen or chemically identical to Oxygen to burn the fuel. Here in Semi-Cryogenic engine liquid oxygen is used as an Oxidizer.
Kerosene when infused with liquid oxygen renders greater thrust to the rocket engine.
Let us now talk about the launch pedestal engineered by Agnikul.
The launch vehicle pedestal - Dhanush had been designed by Agnikul and has the inherent potential to bolster mobility across all dimensions of Agnibaan. Dhanush had been engineered by Agnikul to ensure reliable launching that can be recurrent with consistency.
The Agnibaan SOrTeD was lifted off vertically upwards which followed a preset trajectory while demonstrating specifically engineered manuveurs. It was a sub-orbital launch so a payload of 30-300 Kg can be kept in the launch vehicle. By suborbital launch, we mean that the velocity of the launch vehicle must be less than the orbital velocity (Vo). The orbital velocity is the minimum velocity of the object or the spacecraft to remain in orbit around the planet.
The catch is the autopilot that had been incorporated in Agnibaan SOrTeD.An autopilot employs a specified gimbaling system for circulating thrust on its own in circles. The mission was predesigned to fly at an altitude of 8 km before it imbursed into the sea waters.
But what is the gimbaling thrust system?
First, let us understand a gimbal. A gimbal is a rotating support that enables the rotation of an object around its axis. Now, in a gimbaling thrust system, the exhaust nozzle of the rocket can be swirled side to side on two-axis pitch and yaw. With the movement of the nozzle, the thrust's direction is altered following the center of gravity of the rocket. This mechanism is employed in rocketry to stabilize the rocket or adjust the orientation of the rocket engine to counteract any forces that may deflect the rocket's direction.
The launch vehicle Agnibaan was engineered at IIT Madras -an incubated enterprise by Agnikul Cosmos Pvt Limited. Agnikul Cosmos envisions democratizing space accessibility by providing economic and customizable launch solutions.
Agnibaan's first stage comprises 7 Agnilet engines which power it with each Agnilet engine rendering a thrust of 25 KN at sea level.
Agnibaan -SOrTeD served as a test flight to archive data for Agnikul Cosmos' upcoming orbital launch vehicle "Agnibaan" - Bharat's indigenously built dual staged launch vehicle configured for Lower Earth Orbits and Higher Earth Orbits and has a payload capacity of up to 300 Kg and can fly at an altitude of 700 Km. This test flight marks the innovative aerospace potential of our country.
The test flight was witnessed by esteemed and renowned figures from Bharat's space sector which included ISRO chairman S. Somnath and IN-SPACE Chairman Dr. Pawan Goenka.
Dr. Somnath expressed his compliments to Agnikul Cosmos while stressing the capability to indigenously build and innovate which served as a testament through test flight launch and highlighted the unmatched potential of Bharat's private sector enterprise in our country's space goals.
Dr.Goenka also resonated with Dr. Somnath's point of view and spoke about how the event symbolized a crucial moment for private space enterprises contributing considerably to Bharat's leaping space sector.
Director General of INSPA -Indian Space Association, said that Agnikul's achievement was no less than a groundbreaking achievement when our country's 1st rocket was launched from the Thumba launch station. He further added that Agnibaan SOrTeD has gathered numerous firsts in its progress which include:
-> Bharat's first launch from a private launch pad.
->First Semi-Cryogenic engine fuelled rocket launch
->World's first unibody 3-D printed engine designed and built indigenously
He called the launch a great enabler for Bharat's flourishing private sector industry and a glance at our country's space goals.
He then expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the entire team of Agnikul Cosmos and conveyed his wishes for future endeavors. He then concluded his speech by stating that the historic test flight along with newly introduced guidelines for actioning of our country's space policy 2023 laid by IN-SPACE along with new regulations will consolidate the world's confidence in Bharat's burgeoning space sector and its peaking potential.
The Agnikul's indigenously built launch vehicle Agnibaan is manufactured for a payload capability of 30Kg -300 Kg customized as per the mission requirements.
Conclusively, we can say that with Agnibaan's launch, the Chennai-based Space enterprise Agnikul envisions initiating satellite launching in 2025.
Thank You.
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It's an inspiring read that underscores the importance of homegrown innovation in propelling the country towards new frontiers in space exploration. Well done!
Truly a proud moment for Bharat...informative blog post