The world of space has seen remarkable progress from an abstract idea Indian Institute of Technology Madras to a mature startup, Agnikul Universe Pte Ltd.
Made in desi startups which were incubated at the National Combustion Research Center and developed at IIT Madras. The vision is to realize the construction of Atmanibal Bharat. In 2017, i graduated from IIT with brothers Srinath Ravichandran and Moin SPM, as well as SR Chakravarthy, who started Agnikul, aiming at making space more accessible and affordable for India’s PM Modi.
The company aims to build its first rocket by 2021 after launching into space with Rs 3 crore seed capital and develop capacity to provide satellite launch services for up to 100 kg satellites. As of December 2020, it had raised nearly $4 million. In October 2023, Agnikul received a financial boost when it raised $26.7 million in Series B funding taking the total funding since inception to $40 million.
In February 2021, the startup tested the semi-cryogenic rocket engine – Agnilet – on the second stage of its “Agnibaan” rocket for the second time ever. Engine is made in one go through 3D printing without any assembling parts. Patents are held by company on designing and manufacturing engines.
In September 2021, aerospace start-up entered into framework agreement with Ministry Aerospace acquire facilities and technical expertise from Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) in developing small satellite two-stage Agnibaan launch vehicle. On November 7th,2022 Isro sold its first flight termination system to Agnikul.
On November 8th ,2022 Vikram Sarabhai Space Center successfully test fired their TERLS’ vertical testing facility’s Agnilet engine that lasted for few seconds.
Finally on Thursday, after four unsuccessful attempts, Agnikul created history by launching the world’s first 3D-printed rocket engine.
