Indian Govt Supports Agnikul Cosmos to Revolutionize Satellite Launches

Chennai: The Indian Ministry of Science & Technology has announced its support for M/s Agnikul Cosmos Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, to develop and commercialize “Agnibaan”, a highly customizable two-stage launch vehicle capable of delivering payloads of up to 300 kg to orbits at 700 km altitude.

This pioneering initiative is being supported by the Technology Development Board (TDB), a statutory body under the Department of Science & Technology (DST). TDB has sanctioned financial assistance for the “Development and Commercialization of Modular Configurable Launch Vehicle for 100 Kg Payload”. The project aims to make satellite launches more accessible, efficient, and affordable, marking a significant step toward India’s growing space ecosystem.

Headquartered in Chennai and incubated at IIT-Madras, Agnikul Cosmos is a leading Indian space technology start-up, guided by 45 former ISRO scientists and backed by a team of over 200 engineers. Agnikul Cosmos achieved a historic milestone with the maiden launch of Agnibaan SOrTeD, the world’s first flight using a single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine.

Agnibaan is set to revolutionize the satellite launch market by offering:

• Dedicated, scalable launches for payloads ranging from 30 to 300 kg.
• Reduced lead times for satellite launches, down to just two weeks.
• Operational flexibility with mobile launch systems deployable globally.
• Customizable space missions for small satellites, eliminating the inefficiencies of traditional rideshare models.

The project incorporates several advanced and indigenous technological advancements, including:

• India’s first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine and other critical components.
• Mobile launch platforms enabling launches from any location globally.
• Development of major subsystems, including engines, mission control systems, and launchpad infrastructure.
• Comprehensive testing facilities for quality assurance, rocket launch assembly, and subsystem evaluations.

Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary of TDB, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership in opening up the space sector for private players. He stated, “These visionary reforms have transformed India into a global hub for space innovation, fostering nearly 200 private space startups. Agnikul Cosmos, supported by TDB, embodies this success, showcasing India’s indigenous talent and the spirit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ while setting new benchmarks in space technology commercialization.”

Founders of Agnikul Cosmos, Srinath Ravichandran and Syed Peer Mohamed Shah Khadri, expressed their enthusiasm, saying, “We started as a start-up at IIT Madras in a DST-supported lab (NCCRD). Now, with this financial assistance from TDB, we are encouraged to continue building world-class space technology hardware from India.”