AGNIBAAN SORTED - SCI
& TECH
News: Start-up Agnikul launches
world’s first rocket with fully 3D-printed engine
What's in the news?
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The Agnikul Cosmos Private Ltd. recently launched
the Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD) from Sriharikota.
Agnibaan SubOrbital
Technological Demonstrator (SOrTeD):
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Agnibaan SOrTeD is a single-stage rocket equipped with the Agnilet engine which is a proprietary technology of AgniKul.
Uniqueness:
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The engine is fully 3D-printed, single-piece, and semi-cryogenic, delivering 6
kilonewtons (kN) of thrust.
Launch Mechanism:
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Unlike conventional sounding rockets that use guide
rails, Agnibaan SOrTeD launched
vertically, following a pre-programmed trajectory to execute specific
flight maneuvers.
Specifications and
Capabilities:
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The rocket can be configured as a single or
two-stage launcher, depending on mission requirements.
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It stands 18 meters tall, weighs 14,000 kg, and is
capable of carrying payloads up to 100 kg to an altitude of 700 km in one of
five different configurations.
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The first stage can host up to seven Agnilet engines, fueled by Liquid Oxygen and Kerosene.
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It is designed to be launched from over 10 different launch ports worldwide.
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AgniKul developed a versatile launch pedestal named
‘Dhanush’ to accommodate various
launch sites and this enhances the rocket’s mobility across its configurations.
Significance:
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It can access both low and high-inclination orbits
and is completely mobile.
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It will also have the first ever Ethernet-based
avionics architecture and fully in-house developed autopilot software from
India.