PQRS1 at 02:35, 29 December 2025

2025-12-29T02:35:58Z

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{{Short description|Indian sub-orbital sounding rocket, developed by Agnikul Cosmos}}
{{Infobox rocket
|name = Agnibaan-SORTED
|function = Sounding Rocket
|manufacturer = [[AgniKul Cosmos]]
|country-origin = India
|height = 6.2 m
|diameter =
|mass = 575 kg
|stages = 1
|LEO-payload =
|status = Future unknown
|stage1engines = 1x Agnilet engine
|stage1thrust = {{cvt|6.215|kN}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Livestrea |first1=IITM |title=National Space Day at IITM |url= https://www.youtube.com/live/3d3dNCkqezk?si=U9d_mSp6vcWKZ5CX&t=7483 |access-date=8 June 2024 |publisher=The Financial Express |date= 28 August 2024}}</ref>
|stage1SI = 186.5 seconds
|stage1time = 70 seconds
|stage1fuel = [[Liquid oxygen|LOX]] and [[Jet fuel|Aviation Turbine Fuel]]
|stage2engines =
|stage2thrust =
|stage2time =
|stage2fuel =
|stage3engines =
|image =
|stage3fuel =
|first = 30 May 2024
|website=|derived_from=[[Agnibaan]]|comparable=[[Vikram-S]], [[Black Brant (rocket)]], [[Rohini (rocket family)]]|launches=1|success=1|sites=ALP-01}}

'''Agnibaan ''SOrTeD''''' (short form of ''SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator'')<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agnikul |url=https://agnikul.in/#/sorted |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=agnikul.in}}</ref> is a suborbital technological demonstrator of the [[Agnibaan]] launch vehicle, manufactured by [[Space industry of India|Indian space startup]] [[AgniKul Cosmos]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Agnibaan? The new private rocket set to be tested by Agnikul |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/agnikul-cosmos-agnibaan-maiden-test-flight-isro-launchpad-2513376-2024-03-11 |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=India Today |date=11 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-10 |title=In the year of Gaganyaan, private space sector too set to make a big splash |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/long-reads/in-the-year-of-gaganyaan-private-space-sector-too-set-to-make-a-big-splash-9205591/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nigam |first=Saumya |date=2024-03-10 |title=Agnikul set to conduct sub-orbital mission by end of March {{!}} News – India TV |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/science/agnikul-set-to-conduct-sub-orbital-mission-by-end-of-march-2024-03-10-920767 |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=www.indiatvnews.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-09 |title=Indian private rocket company Agnikul plans to launch sub-orbital mission by March-end |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/indian-private-rocket-company-agnikul-plans-to-launch-sub-orbital-mission-by-march-end-420728-2024-03-09 |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Business Today |language=hi}}</ref>

== Description ==
The SOrTeD mission is a single-stage launch vehicle demonstration that is powered by a semi-cryogenic engine called the Agnilet. The 6.2 meter-tall vehicle has an elliptical [[nose cone]] at the top to protect the payload from harsh conditions during the flight.<ref name=":1" />

Unlike traditional sounding rockets that typically launch from guide rails, Agnibaan SOrTeD lifts off vertically and follows a predetermined trajectory while executing a precisely coordinated series of maneuvers during flight. This innovative approach sets Agnibaan apart and highlights the advanced technology and capabilities employed by AgniKul Cosmos for its maiden [[Sub-orbital spaceflight|sub-orbital flight]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-20 |title=Indian space startup gears up for ambitious rocket launch: Key things to know |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/science/space-startup-agnikul-cosmos-prepares-for-maiden-test-launch-of-agnibaan-rocket-on-march-22-seven-things-to-know-12494611.html |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Moneycontrol}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=AgniKul Cosmos to launch rocket from own launchpad |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/agnikul-cosmos-to-launch-rocket-from-own-launchpad/articleshow/108659725.cms |access-date=2024-03-21 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

For flight control, the vehicle is equipped with four [[Carbon-fiber reinforced polymer|carbon composite]] [[fin]]s to provide passive control. The active [[Pitch angle (aviation)|pitch]] and [[Yaw (aviation)|yaw]] control is achieved through two-plane [[Gimbaled thrust|gimballing]], and together, these systems enable controlled vertical ascent. The company has integrated Agnibaan SOrTeD with the [[flight termination system]] developed by [[ISRO]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=How Agnikul's two-minute-long mission could give India a new launch vehicle |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/agnikul-cosmos-test-flight-agnibaan-sorted-mission-launch-isro-2517371-2024-03-21 |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=India Today |date=21 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

AgniKul had previously received authorization to establish a unique launch pad near the sea on [[Sriharikota|Sriharikota Island]], alongside its dedicated control room. The pad has received the name ''Dhanush'' and referred as ALP-01.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Space Startup Agnikul Ready For Its Sub-Orbital Rocket Launch On Friday |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/space-start-up-agnikul-ready-for-its-sub-orbital-rocket-agnibaan-launch-on-friday-5270592 |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> AgniKul is the second Indian private spaceflight company to test its orbital launch system, following [[Skyroot Aerospace]], who launched their [[Vikram S|Vikram-S]] rocket.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kandavel |first=Sangeetha |date=2024-03-19 |title=Tamil Nadu creates history with India's second privately developed rocket |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/tamil-nadu-creates-history-with-indias-second-privately-developed-rocket/article67969511.ece |access-date=2024-03-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Agnikul Cosmos to conduct maiden test launch of Agnibaan on Friday |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/agnikul-cosmos-to-conduct-maiden-test-launch-of-agnibaan-on-friday-2517135-2024-03-20 |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=India Today |date=20 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

== Agnibaan SOrTeD-01 ==
===Delays===
On 21 March 2024, a day before launch, AgniKul Cosmos posted on [[Twitter|X]] that they hold the launch based on certain minor observations from the full countdown rehearsals the previous night.<ref>https://twitter.com/AgnikulCosmos/status/1770738814639608168</ref> The pre-launch procedures began ten hours before liftoff, with the filling of the fuel tanks, deployment of balloons for assessing winds at various altitudes, uploading the programme to the flight computer and getting a final clearance from the launch directors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-21 |title=Agnikul Cosmos defers launch of Agnibaan 3D printed rocket |url=https://www.news9live.com/science/agnikul-cosmos-defers-launch-of-agnibaan-3d-printed-rocket-2473468 |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=News9live |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-21 |title=Launch of first 3D printed satellite by Agnikul Cosmos cancelled |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/launch-of-first-3d-printed-satellite-by-agnikul-cosmos-cancelled-12502191.html |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Moneycontrol}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-21 |title=AgniKul Cosmos postpones maiden rocket launch due to 'technical issue' |url=https://www.zeebiz.com/companies/news-agnikul-cosmos-postpones-maiden-rocket-launch-due-to-technical-issue-281177 |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=Zee Business}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Agnikul's maiden test launch of Agnibaan Sorted mission postponed |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/agnikuls-maiden-test-launch-of-agnibaan-sorted-mission-postponed-2517777-2024-03-21 |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=India Today |date=21 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-21 |title=Agnibaan Mission Postponed! India's Second Privately Developed Rocket Faces Technical Snag |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/technology-science/breaking-news-agnibaan-mission-postponed-agnikuls-maiden-launch-of-sub-orbital-flight-delayed-due-to-technical-snag-article-108678256 |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=TimesNow |language=en}}</ref> The company postponed another launch attempt on 6 April 2024 while conducting pre-launch checks.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=|last2= |date=2024-04-06 |title=India's space startup Agnikul delays maiden rocket launch again |url=https://theprint.in/india/indias-space-startup-agnikul-delays-maiden-rocket-launch-again/2030072/ |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=[[ThePrint]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Another launch attempt on 28 May 2024, was also called off, less than a minute before lift-off.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chennai Start-Up's Rocket Launch, Game-Changer For Space Tech, Called Off |url=https://www.ndtv.com/science/chennai-start-ups-rocket-launch-game-changer-for-space-tech-called-off-5761350 |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> The launch date was then set to 30 May 2024 for a fifth launch attempt.

===Launch===

The mission successfully lifted off on 30 May 2024 at 7:15 AM IST<ref>{{Cite web |title=PM Modi's Shoutout As Chennai Start-Up Scripts Rocket History On 5th Try |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/isros-backing-dogged-will-how-chennai-start-up-scripted-rocket-history-5776205 |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sivapriyan |first=E. T. B. |title='Major milestone': Agnikul carries out successful sub-orbital launch of Agnibaan, India's second privately-built rocket |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/science/space/major-milestone-agnikul-carries-out-successful-sub-orbital-launch-of-agnibaan-indias-second-privately-built-rocket-3044272 |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> from India's first private launchpad, ALP-01, located close to ISRO facilities near [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre|SDSC]].

The 580 kilogram rocket, with a thrust of 6.25 kN and propellant flow rate of 3.3 kg/s <math>(I_{sp} = 187 s)</math>, lifted off from Sriharikota for the first time and travelled as high as 20 kilometers above the Earth, before plunging down into the [[Bay of Bengal]] and carried about 7 kg of payloads.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" /> The data that it provides would help engineers fine-tune and shape the development of the Agnibaan launch vehicle, which is expected to fly by the last quarter of 2025.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-30 |title=Space startup Agnikul Cosmos flies world's first 3D-printed rocket engine in fifth attempt |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/agnikul-carries-out-successful-sub-orbital-launch-of-agnibaan-rocket-9360673/ |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

==== Flight description ====
Following lift-off, the vehicle performed a pitch-over manoeuvre nearly four seconds into flight. This manoeuvre involves the controlled rotation of the vehicle to change its orientation from vertical to a predetermined angle with respect to the ground or its flight path.<ref name=":1" />

The vehicle then went into the wind biasing manoeuvre at just over 39 seconds, which is introduced in rockets to compensate for the effects of wind on the trajectory of the rocket during ascent. At about 1 minute and 29 seconds into the flight, the rocket reached apogee, the point at which it is farthest from the launch site, before it splashes down at just over two minutes into flight, marking the completion of the mission.<ref name=":1" />

== See also ==
{{Portal|India|Space}}
* [[Space industry of India]]

=== Rockets with similar role ===
* [[SLV-3]]
* [[Vikram S|Vikram-S]]
* [[Rocket Lab Electron|Electron]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:ISRO]]
[[Category:Suborbital spaceflight]]
[[Category:Space launch vehicles of India]]

Agnibaan SOrTeD - Revision history

PQRS1 at 02:35, 29 December 2025