Mpsep15 at 01:48, 28 March 2026

2026-03-28T01:48:22Z

New page

{{Short description|Indian private aerospace company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = AgniKul Cosmos Private Limited
| logo = Agnikul logo.svg
| logo_size = 500px
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| industry = [[Space industry|Space]]
| founder = {{bulleted list
| Srinath Ravichandran
| Moin SPM
| Satyanaryan Chakravarthy
| Janardhana Raju
}}
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1 December 2017}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=AGNIKUL COSMOS PRIVATE LIMITED |url=https://www.indiafilings.com/search/agnikul-cosmos-private-limited-cin-U74999TN2017PTC119779#:~:text=AGNIKUL%20COSMOS%20PRIVATE%20LIMITED%20is,to%20further%20update%20these%20figures. |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=IndiaFilings |language=en}}</ref>
| hq_location_city = National Centre for Combustion Research and Development, [[IIT Madras]], [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| hq_location_country = [[India]]
| key_people = {{ubl
|Srinath Ravichandran <br/> ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
|Moin SPM <br/> ([[Chief operating officer|COO]])
}}
| products = {{hlist
|[[Agnibaan SOrTeD]]
|[[Agnibaan]]
|Satellite propulsion systems
}}
| services = [[Launch service provider]]
| revenue =
| num_employees = 150-200
| num_employees_year =
| members =
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.agnikul.in/|agnikul.in}}
}}

'''AgniKul Cosmos Private Limited'''{{efn|<small>pronounced:</small> [[Help:IPA/Sanskrit|ɐɡnikul]] ([[ISO 15919|ISO]]: ''Agnikula''); According to the founders of the company, 'AgniKul' is the portmanteau of '[[Agni]]' and '[[Gurukula]]', and the name therefore translates to "a place where people learn to use fire"}} is a private Indian [[aerospace manufacturer]] and commercial [[List of launch service providers#Corporate|launch service provider]] based in National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) of [[IIT Madras]], [[Chennai]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agnikul|url=https://agnikul.in/#/about|access-date=2022-01-24|website=agnikul.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-01 |title=Agnikul: From IIT-M brainchild to space odyssey |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/agnikul-from-iit-m-brainchild-to-space-odyssey/articleshow/110604218.cms |access-date=2024-06-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The start up aims to develop and launch its own [[small-lift launch vehicle]] such as the [[Agnibaan]], capable of placing {{cvt|100|kg}} payload into a {{cvt|700|km}} orbit.

The first suborbital test vehicle was successfully launched on 30 May 2024. This mission achieved several notable milestones including world's first flight with a single-piece 3D-printed engine, India's first semi-cryo engine launch and India's first launch from a private launch pad.
[[File:Reuniões com Autoridades e o Astronauta Russo Oleg Kotov (51685110523).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Mockups of the Agnibaan launch vehicle and its engine at the [[International Astronautical Congress]] 2021.]]

== History ==
The company was founded by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM, Satyanarayanan Chakravarthy and Janardhana Raju within IIT Madras with a seed funding of {{INRConvert|3|c|year=2017}} with aim to develop and launch its first rocket in 2021 and subsequently develop ability to provide launch service for satellites weighing up to {{cvt|100|kg}}.<ref name="YS1">{{Cite news|last=Reddy|first=Krishna|date=2019-05-29|title=WATCH: IIT Madras-incubated Agnikul is aiming to become the first Indian startup to put small satellites into space}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Upadhyay |first=Shyam Nandan |date=2023-10-18 |title=Agnikul Looks to Make India A Global Space Hub |url=https://analyticsindiamag.com/agnikul-looks-to-make-india-a-global-space-hub/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=AIM |language=en-US}}</ref> The start-up later managed to raise up to {{INRConvert|23.4|c|year=2020}} from investors.<ref name="YS2">{{Cite news|last=Kashyaap|first=Sindhu|date=2020-03-18|title=[Funding alert] Spacetech startup Agnikul raises Rs 23.4 Cr in pre-Series A round led by pi Ventures}}</ref> Till end of 2020, the company had raised almost $4 million and headed towards [[ISRO]] for advisory.<ref name="FT20">{{Cite news|last=Srinivasan|first=Srinath|date=2020-11-26|title=Into a new orbit: Making space for small satellites|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/into-a-new-orbit-making-space-for-small-satellites/2136645/|newspaper=The Financial Times|access-date=2020-12-07}}</ref> A [[Non-disclosure agreement|Non-Disclosure Agreement]] (NDA) was signed with [[Department of Space]] to obtain government's technological assistance in development of launch vehicles.<ref name="NDA20">{{Cite news|date=2020-12-03|title=Non-Disclosure Agreement signed with M/s Agnikul|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/update/03-dec-2020/non-disclosure-agreement-signed-with-m-s-agnikul|work=ISRO|access-date=2020-12-07|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204013032/https://www.isro.gov.in/update/03-dec-2020/non-disclosure-agreement-signed-with-m-s-agnikul|url-status=dead}}</ref> Although the company entered an agreement with [[Alaska Aerospace Corporation]] to launch rocket from [[Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska|Kodiak Launch Complex]] as a commercial launch pad to test rockets was not available in India, the deal eventually fizzled out as no progress was made with the vehicle.<ref name="BS20">{{Cite news|last=Narasimhan|first=TE|date=2020-10-01|title=Agnikul signs agreement with Alaska Aerospace to test launch its rocket|url=https://wap.business-standard.com/article/companies/agnikul-signs-agreement-with-alaska-aerospace-to-test-launch-its-rocket-120100101112_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard|location=Chennai|access-date=2020-12-07}}</ref> AgniKul has received investment from personal capacity of [[Anand Mahindra]], chairman of [[Mahindra Group]]. Although, amount was not specified.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-02-10|title=Anand Mahindra backs space startup Agnikul Cosmos|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/anand-mahindra-backs-space-startup-agnikul-cosmos/articleshow/80785521.cms|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=2021-02-11}}</ref>

AgniKul signed a framework agreement with the Department of Space in September 2021 for access to ISRO facilities and technical expertise for the development of its two-stage small-satellite Agnibaan launch vehicle.<ref>{{cite web |title=ISRO signs agreement with Agnikul Cosmos allowing it access to facilities, expertise to build launch vehicles |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/isro-signs-agreement-with-agnikul-cosmos-allowing-it-access-to-facilities-expertise-to-build-launch-vehicles-9980321.html |website=Firstpost |access-date=24 September 2021 |date=20 September 2021}}</ref> On 7 November 2022, Agnikul Cosmos bought its first Flight Termination System (FTS) from ISRO. It will be used in Agnibaan scheduled for launch from [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-11-11 |title=ISRO supplies rocket system to support private launch vehicle |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/isro-supplies-rocket-system-to-support-private-launch-vehicle-11668158036226.html |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref>

In October 2023, AgniKul raised $26.7 million in a Series B funding round, bringing the total capital raised since its inception to $40 million. Both existing and new investors participated in the round.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Catherine |title=Indian Space Startup Raises $26.7 Million Series B To Launch Satellites Using 3D-Printed Rocket Engines |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/catherinewang/2023/10/17/indian-space-startup-raises-267-million-series-b-to-launch-satellites-using-3d-printed-rocket-engines/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-18 |title=Space startup Agnikul Cosmos raises ₹200 crore |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/space-startup-agnikul-cosmos-raises-200-crore/articleshow/104510406.cms |access-date=2023-10-18 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Recent funding rounds and reports from March 2026 place the company's valuation at over '''$500 million'''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vardhan |first=Gyan |date=Nov 22, 2025 |title=Agnikul raises $17 Mn at $500 Mn valuation to scale launches and infra |url=https://entrackr.com/news/agnikul-raises-17-mn-at-500-mn-valuation-to-scale-launches-and-infra-10801995 |access-date=March 27, 2026 |work=Entrackr}}</ref>

According to co-founder and CEO Srinath Ravichandran, Agnikul is attempting to perfect the technology of firing several engines simultaneously and conducting experiments for stage separation following the success of the [[Agnibaan SOrTeD]] mission. Additionally, the company began constructing rigs, which will take six to seven months. The first orbital launch will occur three months after rigs construction is complete.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2 June 2024 |title=Agnikul Cosmos aims for early 2025 launches following successful test-flight of Agnibaan rocket |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/agnikul-cosmos-eyes-early-2025-satellite-launches/cid/2024185 |access-date=3 June 2024 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref>

They have inaugurated a '''Large Format Additive Metal Manufacturing (LFAMM)''' facility, which houses India's largest 3D metal printer dedicated to rocket components.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=ET Online |first=Economic Times |date=March 25, 2026 |title=Agnikul’s 'Agnite' test marks breakthrough in 3D-printed rocket engines |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/agnikuls-agnite-test-marks-breakthrough-in-3d-printed-rocket-engines/articleshow/129794379.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live |access-date=March 27, 2026 |work=Economic Times}}</ref>

In February 2026, AgniKul Cosmos announced a partnership with Neevcloud to build a proof of concept model for a space-based AI data center, to be launched by Agnibaan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-02-13 |title=Agnikul, NeevCloud to launch India’s first orbital AI data centre platform |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/agnikul-neevcloud-to-launch-indias-first-orbital-ai-data-centre-platform/articleshow/128274210.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2026-02-17 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> The project aims to utilize the cold environment and solar energy of space to solve Earth-bound cooling and power issues for AI processing, with a target launch as early as 2027.

The company now claims they can 3D print an entire engine in just 7 days, reducing the traditional manufacturing timeline by nearly 97%.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=March 25, 2026 |title=Spacetech startup Agnikul Cosmos 3D prints booster engine in 7 days; eyes up to 30 launches a year |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/spacetech-startup-agnikul-cosmos-3d-prints-booster-engine-in-7-days-eyes-up-to-30-launches-a-year/articleshow/129784855.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live |access-date=March 27, 2026 |website=Economic Times}}</ref>

The Tamil Nadu government, through its industrial arm TIDCO, invested ₹25 crore in AgniKul in early 2026. This is notable as it marks the first time a government body in India has taken an equity stake in a space startup.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 14, 2026 |title=Tamil Nadu govt invests Rs 25 crore in space startup Agnikul Cosmos |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/tamil-nadu-govt-invests-rs-25-crore-in-space-startup-agnikul-cosmos/articleshow/129579645.cms?from=mdr |access-date=March 27, 2016 |work=Economic Times}}</ref>

== Launch vehicle ==
{{Main|Agnibaan}}
[[File:Agnibaan-rocket.svg|thumb|60px|A graphical representation of the Agnibaan launch vehicle]]
Agnibaan ([[ISO 15919|ISO]]: Agnibāṇa) (''{{lit|Arrow of Fire}}'') is envisaged to be a mobile launch system capable of placing a {{cvt|100|kg}} satellite into a {{cvt|700|km}} orbit. The rocket will be 18 meters long with a diameter of 1.3 meters and a lift-off mass of {{cvt|14000|kg}}. It will use clustered engines on first stage in various configurations depending upon the payload and will only use [[Liquid oxygen|LOX]] and [[RP-1|Kerosene]] based engines.<ref name="Agnibaan">{{Cite web|title=Agnibaan|url=https://agnikul.in/#/products|work=AgniKul Cosmos|access-date=2020-12-07}}</ref> A single-stage suborbital demonstrator, nicknamed [[Agnibaan SOrTeD]] (Suborbital Tech Demonstrator) was successfully launched on 30 May 2024 as a suborbital test flight.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/isros-backing-dogged-will-how-chennai-start-up-scripted-rocket-history-5776205 |title=ISRO's Backing, Dogged Will: How Chennai Start-Up Scripted Rocket History |date=30 May 2024 |access-date=30 May 2024 |work=NDTV}}</ref><ref name="The Times of India">{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/agnikul-successfully-launches-sorted-achieves-many-firsts/articleshow/110550212.cms |title=Agnikul successfully launches SOrTeD, achieves many firsts |date=30 May 2024 |access-date=30 May 2024 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> The mission also confirmed the use of '''Linux-based flight computers''' and an '''Ethernet-based architecture''', a first for Indian rockets.

The Agnibaan launch vehicle distinguishes itself from conventional liquid-propellant rockets by utilizing an '''Electric Pump-Fed cycle'''. This architecture employs high-discharge brushless DC motors to drive propellant pumps, effectively eliminating the need for complex pre-burners or gas generators. By replacing traditional turbomachinery with an electric system, AgniKul has significantly simplified the engine's internal plumbing, enabling a "plug-and-play" approach to engine clustering. The system is designed to run on a semi-cryogenic propellant combination of sub-cooled Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), which offers a balance of high performance and simplified handling compared to full cryogenic systems. <ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Indian Defence News |first=Indian Defence News |date=Feb 23, 2026 |title=Agnikul Cosmos Achieves India's First Successful Test of Clustered (3-Engines Simultaneously) Semi-Cryogenic Engines With 3D-Printed Powerplants |url=https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2026/02/agnikul-cosmos-achieves-indias-first.html |access-date=March 27, 2026 |website=Indian Defence News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AGNIBAAN |url=https://agnikul.in/product/ |access-date=March 27, 2026 |website=Agnikul}}</ref>

A primary technical advantage of this architecture is Software-Defined Throttling, where the speed of the electric motors can be adjusted near-instantaneously via flight algorithms. This provides a level of precision in thrust control that is traditionally difficult to achieve with gas-driven turbopumps. These electric pumps feed into single-piece 3D-printed engines made of Inconel, such as the Agnilet and the larger Agnite booster, which stands one metre tall. The integration of additive manufacturing and electric propulsion allows the company to produce a complete engine in as little as seven days, facilitating rapid, on-demand launch capabilities for the small-satellite market.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Science Desk |first=India Tooday |date=Feb 24, 2026 |title=Watch: Indian space startup Agnikul fires cluster rocket engines for the first time |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/india-agnibaan-agnikul-private-space-travel-record-rocket-test-three-engines-reusable-innovation-space-isro-technology-2873466-2026-02-24 |access-date=March 27, 2026 |work=India Today}}</ref>

== Rocket engines ==
*In February 2021, Agnikul test fired its semi-cryogenic [[rocket engine]] Agnilet which will power second stage of its rocket Agnibaan for the first time. Agnikul claimed the engine has been developed in single-piece through [[3D printing]] with no assembled parts.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-02-11|title=Agnikul Cosmos fires single-piece, 3D printed rocket engine|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/agnikul-cosmos-fires-single-piece-3d-printed-rocket-engine-6491661.html|newspaper=MoneyControl|access-date=2021-02-11}}</ref>
* On 8 November 2022, Agnilet was successfully test fired for a few seconds on Vertical Test Facility, [[Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station]] (TERLS), at [[Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre|Vikram Sarabhai Space Center]] (VSSC) to validate the design and manufacturing methodology used in the development process. AgniKul Cosmos holds the patent for design and manufacturing of single-piece rocket engine. The first dedicated factory to manufacture large number of 3D printed rocket engines is in IIT Madras Research Park.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kandavel |first=Sangeetha |date=2022-11-08 |title=Chennai-headquartered Agnikul Cosmos successfully test-fires 3D-printed rocket engine |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/chennai-headquartered-agnikul-cosmos-successfully-test-fires-3d-printed-rocket-engine/article66112203.ece |access-date=2022-11-09 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
*On 7 February 2023, flight acceptance test of Angilet for Agnikul's controlled sub-orbital flight was successfully conducted. The engine was completely manufactured at Agnikul's Rocket Factory - 1. In this particular test, engine was fired over and above the mission burn time as required for flight acceptance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj805ThRvtM|title=Flight acceptance test of Agnilet engine for Agnikul's upcoming controlled suborbital flight |website=youtube.com|access-date=October 25, 2025}}</ref>
*On 25th February 2025, Agnikul fires a cluster stack of three Agnilet engines.Each of the Semi-cryogenic units were 3-D printed at Agnikul's Rocket Factory-1 in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Science Desk |first=India Today |date=2026-02-24 |title=Watch: Indian space startup Agnikul fires cluster rocket engines for the first time |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/india-agnibaan-agnikul-private-space-travel-record-rocket-test-three-engines-reusable-innovation-space-isro-technology-2873466-2026-02-24 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
*'''Agnite Engine Test''' (March 2026), Agnikul successfully test-fired the Agnite booster engine, which is a 1-metre long single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine of its kind.<ref name=":0" />
*'''Cluster Firing''' (February 2026), In a historic first for an Indian private entity, AgniKul successfully test-fired a cluster of three semi-cryogenic engines simultaneously. This validated their proprietary software's ability to sync multiple electric-motor-driven pumps.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ismail |first=Mohd |date=Feb 26, 2026 |title=Agnikul Cosmos Achieves Historic Triple Engine Cluster Firing |url=https://gbp.com.sg/stories/agnikul-cosmos-achieves-historic-triple-engine-cluster-firing/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 27, 2026 |website=GBP Aerospace & Defence}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

== Launch pad and mission control centre ==
AgniKul Cosmos inaugurated first private launch pad and mission control centre in India at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in [[Sriharikota]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] on 28 November 2022. The launchpad and the mission control centre are 4 km apart from one another. At present, the launchpad can handle liquid stage launch vehicle.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-29 |title=Agnikul inaugurates India's first private space vehicle launchpad in Sriharikota |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/agnikul-cosmos-launchpad-mission-control-center-sriharikota-8296006/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> All the critical systems performing functions at Agnikul launchpad (ALP) and the Agnikul mission control center (AMCC) have high degree of redundancy to ensure 100% operationality although none of these systems were tested so far.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kandavel |first=Sangeetha |date=2022-11-28 |title=Agnikul Cosmos sets up India's first private space vehicle launchpad at Sriharikota |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/chennai-based-agnikul-cosmos-inaugurates-first-launchpad-mission-control-center-at-sriharikota/article66194809.ece |access-date=2022-11-30 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> ISRO's range operations team will monitor key flight safety parameters during launches from ALP while AMCC can share critical data with ISRO's Mission Control Center.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2022 |title=Space start-up Agnikul Cosmos sets up India's first private launch pad |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/space-start-up-agnikul-cosmos-sets-up-india-first-private-launch-pad-2302603-2022-11-28 |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Both the facilities have support of ISRO and [[Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre]] (IN-SPACe).<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2022 |title=Space startup Agnikul Cosmos inaugurates India's first private launchpad at Sriharikota |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/space-startup-agnikul-cosmos-inaugurates-indias-first-private-launchpad-at-sriharikota/2895477/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref>

== Industry collaboration ==
An agreement has been signed by Nibe Space, a division of Nibe Defence and Aerospace on 9 September 2024, with AgniKul Cosmos, [[Skyroot Aerospace]], [[Centum Electronics]], SpaceFields, Sisir Radar, CYRAN AI Solutions, and [[Larsen & Toubro]] for the launch of India's first constellation of multi-sensor, all-weather, high-revisit Earth observation satellites.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shukla |first1=Ajai |date=11 September 2024 |title=Nibe shoots for stars with Earth observation satellite constellation |url=https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/nibe-shoots-for-stars-with-earth-observation-satellite-constellation-124091101304_1.html |access-date=18 September 2024 |publisher=Business Standard}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal bar|India|Rocketry|Spaceflight}}
* [[Space industry of India]]
** [[ISRO]]
** [[Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre|IN–SPACe]]
** [[Indian Space Association]]
* [[List of private spaceflight companies]]
** [[Agnibaan]]
** [[Skyroot Aerospace]]
** [[Bellatrix Aerospace]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{official website|https://agnikul.in/}}

{{Clear}}
{{Indian space programme}}
{{Indian spacecraft}}
{{Indian launch systems}}
{{India topics}}

[[Category:Aerospace companies]]
[[Category:Rockets and missiles]]
[[Category:Space programme of India]]
[[Category:Indian private spaceflight companies]]
[[Category:Private spaceflight companies]]
[[Category:Rocket engine manufacturers of India]]
[[Category:Commercial launch service providers]]
[[Category:Spacecraft manufacturers]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 2017]]
[[Category:Indian brands]]
[[Category:2017 establishments in Tamil Nadu]]

AgniKul Cosmos - Revision history

Mpsep15 at 01:48, 28 March 2026