Combustion Research at IIT Madras Fuels India’s Private Space Start-Up Journey

Verghese V Joseph –

India’s Chennai-based space startup Agnikul Cosmos made history on May 30, 2024, with the successful launch of its Agnibaan SOrTeD (Agnibaan Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator) rocket. This single-stage vehicle, propelled by a semi-cryogenic pressure-fed engine, lifted off from India’s first private launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR.

The Agnibaan rocket, a two-stage orbital launch vehicle, is powered by India’s first patented Single-Piece 3D-printed Semi-Cryogenic engines. This ground-breaking technology was developed and incubated at the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) at IIT Madras (presently known as Chennai), which is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

NCCRD, the world’s largest combustion research centre, is supported by DST and focuses on automotive, thermal power, aerospace propulsion, fire research, and microgravity combustion. The centre has been instrumental in training Agnikul’s team, providing them with the necessary expertise to develop their rocket technologies.

Agnikul, incubated at the incubation cell at IIT Madras (a technology innovation hub supported by DST), has developed a range of technologies that improve the reliability and manufacturing speed of space engines. Their ground-breaking engine design, which assembles individual components, is manufactured with high-grade aerospace materials, ensuring reliability and faster production compared to traditional methods.

The startup has also established India’s first private launchpad and Mission Control Centre at the Sriharikota range, with the entire process planned, designed, and executed in-house. Additionally, Agnikul’s autopilot software ensures the vehicle remains on the mission path despite external factors, critical for any successful launch.

The Agnibaan rocket, capable of carrying payloads up to 300 kg into orbits around 700 km high, is a significant milestone for India’s space ecosystem. Its launch cost remains consistent across the spectrum of payload mass, from 30 kg to 300 kg, thanks to the innovative technologies developed by Agnikul.

The successful launch of Agnibaan SOrTeD marks several firsts for India’s space sector, including the world’s first flight with a single-piece patented rocket engine, India’s first semi-cryogenic engine flight, and the first controlled ascent flight from India. This achievement showcases the remarkable ingenuity of India’s young innovators and the potential of the country’s private space industry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the successful launch, calling it a “momentous occasion” for India’s space sector and a testament to the remarkable ingenuity of India’s youth. The launch also received praise from Lt Gen A K Bhatt (retd), Director General of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), who said it was a “huge boost and a proud moment” for India’s thriving private space industry.

The Agnibaan launch is a testament to the power of collaboration between academia, research institutions, and the private sector. With the support of DST and the expertise developed at NCCRD, Agnikul has demonstrated the potential of India’s private space startups to drive innovation and make space missions more accessible and cost-effective.