Agnikul successfully test-fires four 3D-printed rocket engines

Agnikul Cosmos successfully test-fired a cluster of four semi-cryogenic 3D-printed rocket engines, marking a major milestone for India’s private space sector and strengthening the development of its Agnibaan launch vehicle for satellite missions.

By Harikrishnan R

Hyderabad: Chennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmos has crossed another major milestone for India’s space sector with the successful test-firing of a cluster of four semi-cryogenic rocket engines on Tuesday.

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The test marked the first successful demonstration in India of the simultaneous synchronised start-up, steady-state operation and shutdown of four semi-cryogenic engines operating together as a cluster.

Through the successful test, Agnikul demonstrated the synchronisation of eight pumps, eight motors and eight speed-control algorithms, showing that all four engines were operating in perfect sync.

The test expanded on the company’s previous trials involving three-engine configurations conducted earlier this year and provided valuable data essential for developing and refining its engine designs.

The engines developed through this programme will be used to power the Agnibaan rocket, an indigenous orbital-class launch vehicle designed to deliver satellites into low-Earth orbit.

Furthermore, the four engines used in the test were each 3D-printed as single-piece hardware units at the Agnikul Rocket Factory located at IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai, building on the venture’s earlier achievements in 3D-printed propulsion technology.

In May 2024, Agnikul successfully conducted a launch demonstration of Agnibaan, which used what the company described as the world’s first fully 3D-printed single-piece rocket engine.

Traditional rocket engines require thousands of individual parts to be welded together, a labour-intensive and expensive process that can take months or even years to complete.

Advanced 3D-printing technology significantly reduces production costs and manufacturing time while also minimising the risk of weak joints or micro-cracks that can arise from manual welding.

The market for satellite launches is witnessing growing demand, driven by communication, weather monitoring and research requirements. The adoption of 3D-printing technology could help create economical launch vehicles capable of meeting these increasing demands.

With global attention focused on the rapidly expanding space sector, the latest test highlights India’s growing presence in private rocket propulsion and launch technology, an area where global companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin have made significant advances.