Chennai-based space-tech startup Agnikul Cosmos said on November 8 that it successfully test-fired its single-piece 3D-printed engine—Agnilet— at Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram.
The test, which was conducted at VSSC's Vertical Test Facility, Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) on November 4, was to validate the technology behind manufacturing rockets as a single piece of hardware.
“This is a unforgettable moment for all of us here at Agnikul. Besides validating our in-house technology, this is also a huge step in understanding how to design, develop and fire rocket engines at a professional level, ” Co-founder and CEO Srinath Ravichandran said.
Co-founder and COO Moin SPM said it was a major milestone for Agnikul and the Indian private space ecosystem.
The startup recently announced that it had secured a patent for this engine.
Unlike other rocket engines, Agnilet has been made in one go, without thousands of parts that are typically assembled in a conventional engine.
Agnikul recently announced the inauguration of its Rocket Factory- 1, India’s first facility dedicated to 3D print rocket engines at scale. The facility is situated at IIT-Madras Research Park.
The facility houses world-class machinery, including a 400mm x 400mm x 400mm metal 3D-printer from EOS, and a host of other machines that will enable end-to-end manufacturing of a rocket engine under one roof.
The test was facilitated by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-Space) and Indian Space Research Organisation.
In 2020, the IIT Madras-incubated startup became the first Indian company to sign an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The agreement signed under the IN-SPACe initiative helps Agnikul access ISRO's expertise and facilities to test its systems.
Agnikul has raised a total funding of $15 million from Mayfield India, pi Ventures, Speciale Invest, and a host of others including prominent angels such as Anand Mahindra and Naval Ravikant since 2019.
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