Chennai/Sriharikota, India – Space exploration in India is poised for a thrilling milestone this Friday as Chennai-based private startup Agnikul Cosmos readies its indigenously built rocket, Agnibaan SOrTeD (Suborbital Tech Demonstrator), for a landmark test launch.
The 580-kilogram Agnibaan rocket is set to lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This inaugural test flight aims to propel the rocket to a suborbital altitude of approximately 20 kilometers before it descends, touching down safely in the Bay of Bengal. While focused on technology demonstration, the rocket has a potential payload capacity of up to 7 kilograms, hinting at its future capabilities.
A key innovation lies within Agnibaan SOrTeD's propulsion system. According to Agnikul Cosmos co-founder Moin SPM, the rocket is fueled by a semi-cryogenic engine powered by readily available fuels – commercially available aviation turbine fuel (similar to kerosene) and medical-grade liquid oxygen.
This pivotal test flight marks a significant stride forward for Agnikul Cosmos in their pursuit of orbital launches. Data and insights collected from the Agnibaan SOrTeD mission will prove invaluable in validating crucial technologies for their future orbital vehicles and ambitions.
The suborbital launch serves as a thrilling testament to India's burgeoning private space sector. Agnikul Cosmos's advancements promise to expand the nation's capabilities in space exploration and technology, propelling India into a new era of space innovation.
