Arrow of Fire: Chennai-based startup is planning to build a 3D printed rocket, launch it to space

India’s Aerospace startups are making a wave all around the world, and for good reason. For example, a Chennai-based startup plans to 3D print a space craft and launch it to the lower Earth orbit in a few days.

Agnikul, a promising space technology startup hailing from Chennai, has successfully secured an impressive $26.7 million in Series-B funding. This substantial investment is set to propel the company toward the development of its proprietary launch vehicle and innovative 3D-printed rocket engine. With this latest financial injection, the startup has now amassed a grand total of $40 million in capital.

At the core of this enterprise’s ambitious plans is the creation of “Agnibaan,” a small satellite launch vehicle engineered to transport payloads weighing up to 100 kilograms into a low-Earth orbit. This marks a significant leap in the private space industry.

The Agnibaan rocket, aptly named after the Sanskrit word for “arrow of fire,” will be equipped with the cutting-edge “Agnilet” engine. This engine is notably characterized as “semi-cryogenic” and employs a unique combination of liquid kerosene at room temperature and supercold liquid oxygen to propel the launch vehicle into the vast expanse of space.

Agnikul disclosed that it initiated the integration process for its “Agnibaan SOrTed” (SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator) in August of the current year. The intricate integration operations are currently underway at the company’s specialized facility situated at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, nestled within the coastal town of Sriharikota.

Notably, the Agnikul launchpad and the Agnikul mission control centre is strategically positioned approximately four kilometres apart, and collectively constitute India’s maiden private launch facility. This historic space hub was officially inaugurated on November 28 of the previous year by the esteemed Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Mr. S. Somanath.

The recent injection of capital marks a significant milestone for Agnikul, signifying the resolute progress toward achieving its vision of revolutionizing the space launch industry. With Agnibaan and Agnilet in the works, this Chennai-based startup is poised to make a lasting impact on the future of space exploration.