As satellites get smaller, traditional rockets remain bulky and expensive. Agnikul’s solution is Agnibaan, a modular small rocket that can carry payloads between 30 kg and 300 kg into low Earth orbit. Its core innovation is a single-piece 3D-printed engine, eliminating the need for welding or assembly and drastically reducing human error.

Manufactured from Inconel, a heat-resistant alloy, these engines weigh just 11–12 kg and can be printed in a single shot. This approach cuts costs by six to seven times compared to conventional rockets, while enabling rapid production—up to two engines per week—at Agnikul’s AS9100D-certified Rocket Factory-1 at IIT Madras.

A breakthrough in propulsion technology

In 2025, Agnikul achieved another milestone by successfully test-firing India’s first electric motor-driven semi-cryogenic rocket engine. Unlike traditional engines that rely on turbopumps, Agnikul’s design uses electric motors for propellant circulation, enabling precise thrust control and faster response for complex missions.

This new engine retains the company’s hallmark 3D-printed design, with critical subsystems manufactured in-house. The next step is clustering multiple engines to power the first integrated flight of Agnibaan, a key step toward commercial operations.

India’s first private launchpad

Equally historic was Agnikul’s 2022 inauguration of the country’s first privately operated launchpad, built at Sriharikota with ISRO and IN-SPACe support. Comprising the Agnikul Launchpad (ALP) and Mission Control Center (AMCC), the facility integrates seamlessly with ISRO’s flight safety systems.

This milestone reflects progressive space policy reforms, enabling private players to build infrastructure once reserved for government agencies.

Agnikul’s innovations directly address a critical gap for satellite operators—long wait times and high rideshare costs. Agnibaan promises on-demand launches within two weeks, democratizing access for remote sensing, communications, and experimental manufacturing in orbit.

By lowering launch costs and timelines, Agnikul is unlocking new opportunities for research institutions, startups, and global satellite makers.

Catalyzing India’s new space economy

Agnikul was the first private space startup to sign an agreement with ISRO under the IN-SPACe initiative, signaling India’s shift toward a more collaborative space ecosystem. With $30–35 million in funding and a growing queue of global customers, the startup is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s emerging small satellite launch market.

Aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat@2047, Agnikul exemplifies how frontier technologies can drive self-reliance while expanding India’s footprint in the global space economy. 

From 3D-printing engines in one shot to operating the country’s first private launchpad, Agnikul Cosmos is proving that India’s space race is no longer just about reaching orbit—it’s about redefining how the world gets there.