Agnikul Cosmos, a Chennai-based space start-up, is gearing up to commence satellite launches early next year following the triumphant test-flight of its Agnibaan SOrTeD rocket. In an exclusive interview with PTI, Srinath Ravichandran, Co-founder and CEO of Agnikul, expressed confidence in the company's innovative 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engines and rocket technology, poised to offer swift and tailored launch solutions for satellite customers.

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"We're looking at a timeline of nine to twelve months, aiming for either late this financial year or the early part of the next," stated Ravichandran regarding the commercial launch of the Agnibaan rocket.

The successful test flight of Agnibaan SOrTeD, a suborbital technology demonstrator, on May 30 marked a significant milestone for Agnikul, following four previous attempts.

Reflecting on the achievement, Ravichandran expressed relief, highlighting the invaluable lessons learned throughout the developmental journey.

The genesis of Agnikul Cosmos dates back to Ravichandran's pioneering vision of leveraging 3D printing for engine and rocket construction, culminating in the establishment of the start-up at the IIT Madras Research Park in 2017.

The core team comprises co-founders Moin SPM, an operations specialist, Satyanarayanan Chakravarthy, an IIT Madras professor and Head of the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development, alongside women engineers Saraniya Periaswamy, the Vehicle Director for Agnibaan SOrTeD, and Umamaheswari K, the Project Director of the inaugural mission.

Agnibaan SOrTeD's vertical ascent flight, distinct from traditional sounding rockets, showcased key maneuvers including health monitoring, auto-pilot activation, and wind biasing to optimise trajectory stability.

Continuous radar tracking ensured meticulous monitoring throughout the flight, validating the robustness of Agnikul's technological framework.

Looking ahead, Agnikul aims to refine engine firing synchronisation and conduct stage separation trials, pivotal for orbital missions.

"We're currently in the process of building ground rigs, a crucial step towards our orbital mission target within the next six to seven months," affirmed Ravichandran. With burgeoning demand for small satellites, Agnikul's Agnibaan launch vehicle, compatible with the mobile launchpad Dhanush, stands poised to cater to diverse payload requirements ranging from 30 kg to 300 kg, ensuring versatility across an array of mission profiles.

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