Understanding The Importance Of Agnikul Cosmos Test Launch Agnibaan-SOrTeD For Bharat's Promising Space Sector
- Ananya Sharma
- Jun 7, 2024
- 4 min read
Hello, Everyone!
Recently on 30th May 2024, a private sector enterpriseAgnikul Cosmos Private Limited launched its first indigenously built launch vehicle test flight Agnibaan -SOrTeD fuelled by a semi-cryogenic 3-D printed engine.
The glorious event was witnessed by prominent space figures like ISRO along with other renowned figures. The Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Home Minister Amit Shah felicitated Agnikul Cosmos for its remarkable accomplishment.
Pic Source: Indian Express
Agnibaan's launch marked a gateway for many upcoming space missions.
However, Agnikul Cosmos is not the only private sector enterprise that has launched its indigenously developed rocket from Bharat Bhoomi. In Nov'2022 a success story was created when a private sector enterprise Skyroot Aerospace launched their rocket -Vikram into the cosmos. The rocket was named after renowned Bharatiya Physicist and astronomer, Vikram Sarabhai who extensively contributed to space research and the development of nuclear power in our Bharat. The glorious moment was praised by our country's Hon'ble PM, President, and many others.
In this blog post, we will understand how with the increase of private space enterprises Bharatiya space market is becoming more consolidated, promising, and prominent.
The test flight launch of Agnikul Cosmos Agnibaan -SOrTeD has extended the glory of Skyroot and has served as an indicator of spanning space options dwelling in Bharat's space market. The fascinating catch in Agnibaan is the 3D printed, the world's first unibody 3D printed engine manufactured indigenously and developed to fuel Agnibaan. Interestingly Agnibaan was launched from Agnikul 's launchpad built at ISRO's Shriharikota launch facility.
The pioneering space enterprises Agnikul and Skyroot are envisioning to initiate launching commercial satellites-satellites purposed for meeting civilian, government, or non-profit use on their rockets in a year, by 2025.
Let us now focus on the payload customization.
Agnibaan, a highly customizable launch vehicle, has a payload customization of 30 Kg to 300 Kg and a few variants that support this payload range to fly to LOE{Lower Earth } orbits. The Skyroot Rockets Vikram series supports such a range of payload mass.
Vikram I supports 480 Kg to 500 Km Low inclination orbits and 290 Kg to SSPO-Sun Synchronous Polar Orbits.
Vikram II variant supports 595 Kg of payload mass to fly at 500 kms low Inclination Orbit and 400 Kg payload mass to 500 Km to SSPO-Sun Synchronous Polar orbit.
Vikram III variant serves to support a payload of 815 Kg to fly at 500 Kms Low Inclination Orbit and 560 Kgs payload mass to 500 Kms SSPO-Sun Synchronous Polar Orbits.
Now, taking about Agnibaan's variants they support a payload of 300 Kg mass and are super affordable too!! For every kilogram of payload mass varying from 30 kg to 300 Kg, the price does not vary.
Both Agnikul and Skyroot are planning to potentially develop small-satellites for catering the requirements of burgeoning space market . For Instance Communications, broadcasting, climate change, disaster management, Earth and Ocean Observation, urban planning, and surveillance. Such satellites are not employed for space explorations and scientific experiments.
ISRO too is manufacturing a brand new rocket called SSLV which is abbreviated for Small Satellite Launch Vehicle to meet this requirement. It has the potential to fly a payload mass of a kg maximum of 500 kg and is more powerful. SSLV is a small-lift launch vehicle and has a payload potential of 500 kg to fly to low-earth orbit or 300 Kgs payload to deploy at Sun Synchronous orbit for launching small satellites, with a proficiency to carry orbital drop-offs.
The Agnibaan rocket's novelty is based on the semi-cryogenic engine is completely 3D printed. The engine named AGNILET is single-united and does not have any components or moving parts with the absence of any joints or welding points and there are no solders. This is the world's only indigenously built 100% 3D printed engine. 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. The 3D printing can effectively reduce production time and cost of production material. It also wards off any potential pitfalls obscured behind any moving point or any joint.
Agnibaan was launched from Agnikul 's owned launchpad for is first time for Bharat. By far all the space launches were done from two launchpads stationed at Shriharikota. Agnikul has its launchpad pedestal "Dhanush" to launch whenever it wants. Agnikul envisions launching 35 to 40 rockets in a year. ISRO helped Agnikul realize its celestial dreams by aiding Agnikul in building its launchpad. Agnikul also makes most of many ISRO's facilities.
Agnikul and Skyroot are a testament to Bharat's endeavors to build a space industry that has room for private space organizations. Numerous private space organizations are booming with working on diverse realms of the space market such as space-based applications, hardware, communications, data centers, and much more. Many of these organizations have attained success and recognition.
With private enterprises catering to space market demands, the space sector is being promoted by our government extensively. Resonating with this fact presently PM Narendra Modi has held meetings with space enterprise owners.
Conclusively, we can say that the Bharatiya space sector has become a booming sector with private enterprises contributing to the space market that can cater to the requirements of global countries's space needs and boost their confidence in investing in our country's space market.
Thank You.
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This post provides an in-depth analysis of Agnikul Cosmos' recent test launch, highlighting its significance in India's private space sector. It effectively discusses payload customization, 3D-printed engine technology, and the burgeoning private space industry, offering comprehensive insights into Bharat's evolving space endeavors.