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Indian space startup Agnikul Cosmos inaugurated two new assembly and testing facilities in Chennai as it moves toward reusable launch vehicle technology similar to SpaceX's approach.
The company unveiled the Stage Testing & Inspection Facility (STIF) and the Pressurant Tank Realisation, Over-wrapping and Outfitting Facility (PROOF) at its assembly and testing complex. The facilities were inaugurated in the presence of Group Captain and Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla.
STIF is a fully in-house facility designed to test reusable rocket stages under flight-like operating conditions. It will also support post-flight inspection and requalification of recovered stages.
The facility supports thrust levels ranging from 1 kN to 200 kN, LOX subcooling down to 73 K, and full-duration burns of up to 150 seconds. It will also allow Agnikul to inspect and requalify recovered stages.
Agnikul Cosmos co-founder and CEO Srinath Ravichandran said the move toward reusable launch technology requires capabilities beyond a single flight, including testing, recovery, inspection and preparation of a stage for its next flight.
“STIF gives us the ability to test complete stages for the duration of their mission and inspect and requalify recovered stages. This is an important capability as we work towards Mission-02,” Ravichandran said.
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The PROOF facility will enable in-house manufacturing of pressure vessels, which are rocket components designed to hold gases or liquids at pressures significantly different from the outside environment.
The new facility can produce more than 10 vessels a month, including vessels with capacities of up to 3,500 liters and 350 bar.
Shubhanshu Shukla said India’s space program is entering an exciting phase, with capabilities developing across the country to support increasingly ambitious missions. He also welcomed Agnikul’s expansion in advanced manufacturing and testing.
Headquartered in Chennai and incubated at IIT Madras, Agnikul Cosmos develops the Agnibaan family of configurable small-lift launch vehicles.
In May 2024, the company conducted Mission 01, Agnibaan SOrTeD, from its privately built launchpad in Sriharikota.
Agnikul also designs and manufactures its single-piece, 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engines in-house and develops its avionics, propulsion, and other vehicle systems.
