The first single-piece 3D rocket engine is successfully tested by an Indian space technology company.

 

The world's first single-piece 3D-printed engine was successfully test-fired by a space technology startup with its headquarters in Chennai, India.

Agnikul Cosmos reported on Tuesday that Agnilet was tested at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, at the Vertical Test Facility, Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS). The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and IN-SPACe, a nodal organization for promoting and regulating space players, supported the test.

Agnikul was established in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM, and Professor S.R. Chakravarthy with the goal of lowering the cost and increasing accessibility to space.

"For all of us at Agnikul, this is a moment that will never be forgotten, "Co-founder and CEO of Agnikul, Srinath Ravichandran, remarked. "This is a significant step in comprehending how to build, develop, and launch rocket engines at a professional level in addition to validating our in-house technology. For making this possible, IN-SPACe and ISRO have our sincere gratitude. Also appreciative to the Indian Government for establishing IN-SPACe to facilitate such endeavors, "added he.

The purpose of the test was to demonstrate that rocket engines could be produced as a single piece of hardware.

In 2021, Agnilet underwent its first successful test firing.

Agnilet is marketed as the first single-piece, entirely Indian-designed and produced 3D-printed rocket engine. At the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras, it was successfully tested for the first time in 2021. The startup's design and production approach, for which it was granted a patent, has been confirmed by the most recent test. It is a huge milestone for 3D printing in India, the business claims.

"The unique aspect of this rocket engine is that it was completely 3D printed from top to bottom. The output of the 3D printer can be utilized directly in the rocket. Ravichandran told YourStory in 2021 that the fabrication or assembly processes are both straightforward, and the turnaround time is under four days.

"With the efforts of IN-SPACe, the private space ecosystem is evolving in the correct direction and also receives access to cutting-edge technologies to make and test world-class goods inside the country," said Moin SPM, co-founder and COO of Agnikul.

The second stage of Agnikul's launch vehicle will utilize Agnilet.

Agnikul recently announced the opening of its Rocket Factory-1, which is located at the IIT Madras Research Park and is India's first-ever rocket facility dedicated to 3D-printing such rocket engines at scale.

The firm from IIT Madras was the first business from India to sign a contract with ISRO in December 2020. Additionally, Agnikul can use the facilities and knowledge of ISRO thanks to the agreement made as part of the IN-SPACe effort.

Agnilet will be utilized in the second stage of Agnikul's launch vehicle Agniban, which is intended to lift up to 100 kg of cargo to low Earth orbits of up to 700 km with a plug-and-play engine configuration, according to a previous statement by Ravichandran.