Chennai-based space tech start-up, Agnikul Cosmos has opened its rocket manufacturing facility – Rocket Factory – 1, which is India’s first facility dedicated to large scale 3D printed rocket engines.
Spread over 10,000 square feet, the facility is located in the IIT Madras Research Park and was formally inaugurated by Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman S Somnath in the presence of Pawan Goenka. Indian National Center for Space Promotion and Authorization (IN-SPACe).
When asked about the investment made in the project, Agnikul did not wish to divulge details, but its co-founder Srinath Ravichandran said Hindu To begin with, the start-up will build two rocket engines per week. “We are now moving from R&D and testing to scaling and production,” he said.
The facility will house world-class machinery, including a 400 mm x 400 mm x 400 mm metal 3D-printer from EOS, and several other machines that will enable end-to-end manufacturing of rocket engines under one roof.
Agnikul had entered into an agreement with EOS in 2021 as their 3D printing partner for the engines. Asked where these rocket machines will be used, Mr. Ravichandran said, “It is for our own rocket that we are making.”
Agnikul is building India’s first private small satellite launch vehicle – Agnibaan, a rocket that enables plug-and-play configuration and is capable of carrying payloads of up to 100 kg in low earth orbits. This on-demand rocket can be completely customized to the needs of the customer at an affordable cost.
The start-up had earlier said that Agnibaan would be launched in 2022. Ravichandran said, “We are targeting to launch it by the end of this year. Work is underway.” Agnikul is looking at setting up another facility and is working on the details.
Founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM and SR Chakraborty (from IIT Madras), Agnikul became the first Indian company to sign an agreement with ISRO in December 2020.
So far, the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) has raised a total of ₹105 crore ($15 million) in funding to incubate start-ups from leading angels such as Mayfield India, Pie Ventures, Special Invest and several others. Like Anand Mahindra and Naval Ravikant, Chairman of Mahindra Group.