Spacetech startup Agnikul Cosmos calls off maiden rocket launch for a fourth time

Agnibaan SOrTeD vehicle at Agnikul's launchpad

Chennai-based space tech startup Agnikul Cosmos on May 28 called off the maiden launch of its test rocket for the fourth time in the last three months due to technical difficulties.

Sources told Moneycontrol that the latest launch attempt was called off due to issues in the rocket's igniter. An igniter in a rocket initiates the combustion of the rocket propellant, providing the initial heat and flame to start the burning process, which generates the thrust needed for launch.

Earlier on April 7, the startup cancelled the launch for the third time due to 'unavoidable circumstances'. The reason for the cancellation was not specified. However, it was speculated that it was cancelled due to weather disturbances.

The complexity in Agnikul's rocket launch arises from the fact that its launch vehicle “Agnibaan SOrTeD” (Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator) is using India's first semi-cryogenic engine, which uses a mix of liquid and gas for propellant.

These engines will help increase payload capacity, reduce launch costs, and improve the overall reliability and performance of their launch vehicles.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is still developing a semi-cryogenic engine known as the SCE-200 for its GSLV Mk III rocket.

The launch, was initially scheduled for 5:45 am on March 28. However, less than six minutes before lift off, it was delayed to 9.25 am "due to a technical glitch in the countdown activities".

Only five seconds before lift-off, the launch was put on "temporary hold to check igniter performance", then was called off altogether.

Agnibaan's launch is a technology demonstrator and, if and when successful, it will help validate the startup's technologies for their commercial launches.

In the coming days, the startup is expected to foray into commercial missions in Q3 of FY 2024-2025, according to space regulator IN-SPACe’s manifesto. The startup is also expected to conduct launches in Q4 of FY 2024-2025.

In 2022, Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aersopace became the first Indian private player to launch for space. Like Agnikul’s current launch, Skyroot’s 2022 launch too was a tech demonstrator.

Established in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM, and SR Chakravarthy - all of IIT Madras,  the IIT-M incubated startup, in October 2023, announced that it had raised $26.7 million in a Series B round.

The startup aims to democratise space exploration by making it both accessible and cost-effective.