Latest news with #Agnibaan
India Today
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Agnikul Cosmos successfully test fires engine to power Agnibaan rocket
Agnikul Cosmos, the Chennai-based private space startup, has achieved a significant milestone by successfully test-firing India's first electric motor-driven semi-cryogenic rocket engine, which will power its upcoming Agnibaan launch breakthrough, announced on Friday, marks a major leap for India's rapidly evolving private space sector and places Agnikul at the forefront of propulsion technology engine's most notable feature is its electric motor-driven throttling system, which enables precise control over thrust by varying the speed of the electric This capability allows for higher accuracy and rapid response—critical for managing complex flight trajectories and mission requirements. During the test, the engine was throttled across a wide range of thrust levels, demonstrating the flexibility and reliability of the technology. Unlike conventional rocket engines that rely on gas generators or turbopumps, Agnikul's semi-cryogenic engine uses an electric motor to power the pumps that circulate propellants—a combination of liquid oxygen (cryogenic oxidizer) and refined kerosene (non-cryogenic fuel).This approach is not only more efficient but also allows for easier integration of advanced control signature single-piece engine design remains central to this new system. Many of the engine's pump subsystems were 3D-printed and assembled at the company's AS9100D-certified Rocket Factory-1, located at the IIT Madras Research Park in motor drives and associated control software were also designed and developed entirely successful test is a key step toward firing a cluster of these engines together, a crucial requirement for powering the Agnibaan which can be configured to carry payloads ranging from 30 kg to 300 kg, is designed to serve the growing demand for affordable and customisable satellite launches.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Agnikul ignites India's first electric motor-driven semi-cryogenic rocket engine
Spacetech startup Agnikul Cosmos successfully fired India's first electric motor-driven semi-cryogenic engine , cofounder and CEO Srinath Ravichandran announced on Friday. Ravichandran shared a video of the engine being throttled to different levels of thrust by varying the speed of the electric motor. Electric motor-driven throttling allows for higher accuracy and rapid response, which is important for handling complex trajectories, Ravichandran wrote in a social media post. Also, regarding flight readiness, this test is a key milestone towards firing a cluster of engines together. The new electric motor-driven system continues to use Agnikul's single-piece 3D-printed engine , Ravichandran wrote. Along with the patented engine, many subsystems of the pump were also 3D-printed and assembled at the company's Rocket Factory-1 facility, the CEO said, adding that the motor drives and associated control software were also fully designed and developed in-house. Live Events Agnikul Cosmos won the Top Innovator award at the Economic Times Startup Awards in 2020. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories In May last year, Agnikul successfully carried out a sub-orbital test flight of its home-built 3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket, Agnibaan, after several hiccups. The IIT-Madras-incubated company also became India's second private entity after Skyroot Aerospace to launch from a private launch pad. The rocket used the world's first 3-D printed single-piece engine, dubbed Agnilet. The indigenous engine is a semi-cryogenic unit using sub-cooled liquid oxygen and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Talking to ET in October last year, Ravichandran had said that Agnikul will launch its commercial operations by mid-2025. The space startup was in active discussions with 30 to 40 potential clients, exploring specific demands and use cases for its Agnibaan rocket , cofounder Srinath Ravichandran told ET. Given the evolving market for small satellite launch vehicles, the company plans to scale its operations to support around 25 launches per year using its mobile launchpad Dhanush at Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ) facilities.
The Print
20-05-2025
- Science
- The Print
India's semi-cryogenic engine revolution—SCE-200 is already in the global big league
During my recent visit to the Indian Space Research Organisation's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Thiruvananthapuram, I spoke with ISRO scientists and founders of space startups across Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Everyone was talking about semi-cryogenic propulsion. It's the tech that could change everything. For decades, India's rockets have relied on cryogenic engines—high-tech machines that burn ultra-cold liquid hydrogen and oxygen. But now, a quiet revolution is happening in Indian space labs, and it's pointing in a different direction: semi-cryogenic engines. Fire, thunder, smoke, and a trembling sound fill the air as a rocket takes flight. Beneath that drama, however, is a quiet science. Every movement is controlled by calculations, chemistry that is timed to the millisecond, and thermodynamics that transforms fuel into force. Also Read: Why launch of India's 1st semi-cryogenic rocket Agnibaan by Chennai startup is a 'major milestone' What are semi-cryogenic engines? Rockets are all about power, and the type of fuel they burn plays a big role in how far they go. Traditional launchers often use solid or fully cryogenic engines. These engines, like GSLV Mk III (now known as LVM3), Chandrayaan-3's, burn liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. They're powerful but complex, and because hydrogen must be stored at −253°C, they require expensive insulation and precisely controlled systems. Semi-cryogenic engines offer several advantages on that front. They also use supercooled liquid oxygen, but pair it with a refined form of kerosene called RP-1. This combination ticks off several boxes: high thrust, lower cost, easier handling, and potential for reusability. While semi-cryogenic engines aren't new, powering rockets like SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Russia's Soyuz, India's homegrown version marks its own revolution. ISRO's pivot to semi-cryo In March this year, ISRO announced a 'major breakthrough' in the design and development of a semi-cryogenic engine at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). The engine, SCE-200, delivers 2,000 kN (200 tonnes) of thrust and is currently undergoing full-duration hot tests at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, following earlier collaborative trials in Russia. Why the move? Because the advantages are too big to ignore. To begin with, semi-cryogenic engines provide greater thrust at liftoff, making them perfect for heavy payloads. The fuel is cheaper and easier to store than hydrogen, and their design is less complex, potentially improving reliability. They also support reusability, a key goal for future missions. India isn't just building a new engine. It's building a new future—the SCE-200 is comparable to the best semi-cryogenic engines in the world. Once certified, the SCE-200 will replace older stages on the LVM3 and eventually power India's reusable launch vehicles and cargo missions to space stations or even the Moon. ISRO's current heavy-lift vehicle, LVM3, is capable—but it's due for an upgrade. The upcoming HLVM3 (Human-rated LVM3), which will carry Indian astronauts under the Gaganyaan mission, is expected to swap out its older liquid stages for a new semi-cryogenic core. This single move will increase lift capacity, improve safety margins, and enable longer-term goals like space station deployment, lunar bases, and Mars missions. A new public-private engine room One of the most exciting things happening in Indian aerospace is how the government and startups are finally building together, better late than never. Post-2020 reforms and the creation of IN-SPACe—an agency to promote private sector participation in space—opened up ISRO's infrastructure to private companies. The result has been a propulsion renaissance of sorts. Among the startups in this space, Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace is developing semi-cryopowered variants of its Vikram rocket series, with an eye on modular, scalable launches. Chennai's Agnikul Cosmos is pushing the boundaries with 3D-printed, single-piece semi-cryogenic engines like Agnilet, dramatically cutting down manufacturing time and cost. And Bengaluru-based Bellatrix Aerospace is working on semi-cryogenic and green in-space propulsion systems, key to future satellite servicing and orbital transport. Together, these fast, inventive, and globally ambitious startups are building India's new propulsion economy. Also Read: Why ISRO's new testing facility for home-grown cryogenic engines is key to India's astronaut dream India's moment in the global launch economy From 2020 to 2023, the global space economy grew from $447 billion to over $570 billion, with the satellite launch market alone projected to reach $30 billion by 2030. India currently holds less than 2 per cent of global commercial launch revenue—but that figure is poised to change. India is concentrating on improving the performance and cost-effectiveness of its launch vehicles with the forming of semi-cryogenic engines like the SCE-200. Compared to existing cryogenic upper stages, semi-cryogenic propulsion, which uses liquid oxygen and refined kerosene (RP-1 or comparable), provide better specific impulse and higher thrust-to-weight ratios. The cost per kilogramme to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for ISRO's most potent operational launcher, the LVM3, is currently between $3,000 and $5,000. However, with effective mass production and reusable Merlin 1D semi-cryogenic engines, SpaceX's Falcon 9 has lowered this cost to about $1,500 to $2,200 per kg. By switching to semi-cryogenic propulsion, ISRO may be able to cut launch costs by 30–40 per cent, to about $1,800–$3,200 per kilogramme, especially when combined with reusability features. This will increase India's competitiveness against industry titans like SpaceX, Arianespace, and China's CASC and bring its launch capabilities considerably closer to the international commercial norm. Additionally, the thrust class of the SCE-200 (200 tonnes) puts it in line with the most recent booster engine development, enabling India to increase payload capacity for both orbital and interplanetary missions while reducing per-mission costs through economies of scale. Moreover, ISRO's PSLV and LVM3 missions already boast a launch success rate of over 95 per cent, and India has launched more than 430 foreign satellites to date. With semi-cryo integration and reusability, these numbers could scale drastically—positioning India as a low-cost, high-reliability launch hub for small satellite constellations, lunar payloads, and interplanetary missions. This propulsion shift aligns with India's ambition to claim a $50 billion (10 per cent) share in the global space market by 2030, as projected by the Indian Space Association (ISpA). Semi-cryogenic technology is the engine behind that vision. Semi-cryogenic propulsion isn't just an incremental upgrade—it's a transformative leap. These engines offer 30–40 per cent more thrust than conventional liquid engines, use RP-1 which is 10x denser than hydrogen (allowing compact design), and can cut launch costs by up to 20 per cent. India's entry into this league with indigenous development marks a critical inflection point. As a physicist, I see this as both a thermodynamic and economic optimisation—essential for scalable, reusable, and interplanetary missions. India is not catching up; it is leapfrogging into the propulsion technologies of tomorrow. Nishant Sahdev is a theoretical physicist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States. He posts on X @NishantSahdev. Views are personal. (Edited by Asavari Singh)
India Today
01-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Emerging job opportunities in aerospace and the future of space exploration in India
India's space ecosystem is undergoing a significant transformation. No longer solely driven by ISRO or NASA-style government initiatives, the future of space exploration now includes a wave of startups, private companies, and global collaborations. This shift is enhancing India's space capabilities and creating diverse and exciting career space economy, valued at around $8–9 billion, is projected to grow to $44 billion within the next decade. This remarkable surge is propelled by progressive government policies, the emergence of IN-SPACe as a regulatory facilitator, and the participation of over 190 private space startups. As a result, the aerospace sector has become one of the most promising frontiers for young professionals, researchers, and entrepreneurs. India is rapidly becoming a major player in the global space industry. From ISRO to private space startups, the aerospace sector is opening up exciting career paths for the next generation. All you need to know from the expert Nidheesh Saxena, Senior Professional in the Education CAREER DOMAINS 1. SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY AND MANUFACTURINGSatellites are fundamental to communication, navigation, and Earth observation. Career opportunities range from payload engineers and system designers to satellite assembly specialists. Startups like Dhruva Space and Pixxel are pioneering private satellite missions in India, hiring for roles in systems engineering, software development, and RF communications.2. LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENTThe success of private rockets like Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-S and Agnikul Cosmos' 3D-printed Agnibaan has opened the field to new-age propulsion engineers, structural designers, avionics specialists, and more. These roles demand expertise in fluid dynamics, materials science, GNC systems, and cryogenics.3. SPACE R&D AND EXPLORATIONBeyond hardware, research opportunities abound in astrophysics, space medicine, AI for space applications, and materials science. Organizations like ISRO's PRL and VSSC, as well as institutes like IIA and IIST, are nurturing talent in areas related to planetary exploration and deep-space EARTH OBSERVATION AND REMOTE SENSINGCareers in this field combine data analytics and environmental science. Positions include GIS analysts, remote sensing engineers, and satellite data scientists. Skills in geospatial software, image processing, and machine learning are increasingly sought after by companies like Pixxel and Kawa Space.5. SPACE LAW AND POLICYAs private participation grows, legal and regulatory expertise is in demand. Careers include policy analysts, compliance officers, and legal advisors dealing with space treaties, licensing, and debris management. Institutions like NALSAR and regulatory bodies like IN-SPACe are shaping the next generation of space law professionals.6. PRIVATE SECTOR AND STARTUPSStartups now need not just engineers, but also business developers, product managers, marketing strategists, and UI/UX designers. Roles in operations, fundraising, and customer outreach are crucial for companies like Skyroot, Agnikul, Dhruva, and Pixxel to SUPPORT AND EDUCATION PATHWAYSTo sustain this momentum, the Indian government has launched initiatives like ISRO's YUVIKA program for school students, space internships, and the RESPOND program for academic collaborations. Funding support via IN-SPACe includes technology development and venture capital funds, encouraging entrepreneurship among engineers and is equally vital. Aspirants can pursue degrees in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electronics Engineering, Physics, AI/ML, or even Space Law. Institutions like IIST offer direct pathways to ISRO roles, while online platforms such as NPTEL and ISRO-IIRS provide certified space-related courses accessible to addition to technical skills—CAD, MATLAB, C++, GIS tools—interdisciplinary and soft skills like communication, teamwork, and systems thinking are essential for thriving in cross-functional aerospace FUTURE IS NOWAs India gears up for ambitious missions like Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4, and a space station by 2030, the country's space journey is poised for global impact. The rise of private players, international collaborations, and a growing talent pipeline indicate that the final frontier is now a legitimate career destination for Indian you're passionate about rocket engines, satellite data, or shaping space law—this is the moment to prepare, participate, and launch your journey into the stars. With the right skills and mindset, your space career could help define India's next leap beyond Earth's atmosphere.
