Agnikul to go commerical early next year, aims 25 launches in a year
Agnikul Cosmos, incubated at IIT Madras, is set to launch its commercial operations within the next six to eight months. The space startup is in active discussions with 30 to 40 potential clients, exploring specific demands and use cases for its Agnibaan rocket, which is equipped with a unique 3D-printed engine, cofounder Srinath Ravichandran told ET.
“We are seeing interest beyond traditional communication satellites. Industries are now considering space for advanced manufacturing processes, such as polymer crystallization and drug development, which benefit from the microgravity environment,” he said. The cofounder emphasized that 20% of the demand is coming from newer industries.
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 Organization (ISRO) facilities and become a significant player in this market.
“We want to become the strongest player globally for small satellites to go to orbit. Our core technologies were crafted keeping such a solution in mind,” explained Ravichandran, adding that today no one questions the ability of building a rocket by a startup.
Earlier this year, the company carried out a sub-orbital test flight of its home-built 3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket—Agnibaan—from its own launch pad at Sriharikota.
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