After four unsuccessful tries, the space start-up Agni Kul Cosmos has successfully conducted a sub-orbital launch of the Agnibaan rocket.

After four unsuccessful attempts, Chennai-based space start-up Agnikul Cosmos successfully conducted a sub-orbital test flight of its 3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket, Agnibaan, from its own launch pad at Sriharikota. This makes it the second Indian private company to achieve this milestone, following Skyroot Aerospace's launch of the Vikram S in November 2022.

The Agnilet engine, used in this mission, is the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket engine. The mission, lasting just over two minutes from launch to splashdown, achieved all its objectives, according to Agnikul Cosmos. The company proudly announced the successful completion of the Agnibaan SOrTeD-01 mission, highlighting that it was powered by a single-piece 3D-printed engine and marked India’s first flight with a semi-cryogenic engine. The test flight was conducted discreetly, with limited attendance at the Sriharikota launch pad within ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

ISRO congratulated Agnikul Cosmos on the successful launch, noting the significance of the first controlled flight of a semi-cryogenic liquid engine made through additive manufacturing. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, also celebrated the achievement on social media, recognizing the innovation and hard work of the Agnikul team.

This test flight, which followed four previous attempts since March 22, was a significant milestone for Agnikul Cosmos. Lt Gen A K Bhatt (retd), Director General of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), praised the success as a proud moment for India's private space sector.

Agnibaan, the rocket used in the mission, is a customizable two-stage launch vehicle capable of carrying up to 300 kg into a 700 km orbit. This mission involved a single-stage demonstration powered by the semi-cryogenic Agnilet engine, which uses a mix of liquid and gas propellants—a technology not yet demonstrated by ISRO.

The SOrTeD mission featured innovative technologies such as an ethernet-based avionics architecture and in-house developed autopilot software. The rocket, powered by sub-cooled Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), included four carbon composite fins for passive control.

During the flight, the vehicle performed a pitch-over maneuver shortly after launch and a wind-biasing maneuver to counteract wind effects on its trajectory. The rocket reached its highest point at 1 minute 29 seconds before splashing down just over two minutes into the flight.

Agnikul Cosmos, founded in 2017, operates India's first private launchpad and mission control center, with all other launchpads managed by ISRO. India’s space ambitions include establishing the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.