Agnibaan is designed and developed by Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited, a space tech startup based in IIT-Madra in Chennai. It is supposed to be the most advanced 3D-printed rocket in India. “Agnibaan” is a word in Sanskrit, ‘Agni’ means Fire, and ‘baan’ means Arrow. It is a fully customizable rocket and can be launched according to the needs of the customer.
It is capable of carrying 300 kg of payload to an altitude of around 700 kilometers high and it can access both low and high-inclination orbit and can be launched from any suitable location by mobile launcher ‘Dhanush’.
It is the most highly flexible rocket in the world because some of its engines can be removed or added in accordance with the payload means it does not fly the same number of engines every time. It is 2 stages powered by LOX/Kerosene engine in all stages.
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Specification
Agnibaan is capable of carrying 30-300 kilogram payloads up to 700 kilometers high. It is 18 meters long its diameter is 1.3 meters and can lift off a mass of up to 14000 kilograms.
It has 5 configurations that is Its first stage could have 4/5/6 or 7 engines and the third stage which is called the ‘baby’ stage depends upon the mission, the satellite, and the launch ports.
2nd stage is powered by an Agnilet vacuum-optimized engine. It can generate thrust at a sea level is 25 kN. It can deliver 355 seconds of ISP (specific impulse) in a vacuum.
Its first stage is powered by 7 Agnilet engines each of which generates thrust at sea level of 25kN. These engines are all electric pump-fed, simplifying engine design and enabling highly customizable engine clustering configurations With a sea level specific impulse (Isp) of 285 seconds, the entire combustion section is a unified assembly created entirely through 3D printing.
It will be launched within 14 days, and the payload integration for the launch will be completed within the same 14 days. Keeping in mind the capability to launch Agnibaan rockets from numerous launch ports worldwide, Agnikul designed launch pedestals, known as “Dhanush,” to support complete flexibility in all configurations of Agnibaan rockets. “Dhanush” is a Sanskrit word that translates to “a divine bow (from which arrows are released).
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The dimensions of “Dhanush” are designed considering global road standards and transportation constraints, ensuring it meets international dimensions and transportation capabilities.
| Length | 18 meters |
| Diameter | 1.3 meters |
| No. of Stages | 2 and 3rd is optional |
| Lift of Weight | 14000 |
| Payload capacity | 30 to 300 |
| Altitude | 700 kg |
Agnibaan vs Vikram-1
When comparing the Agnibaan rocket to India’s other space technology startup Skyroot’s Vikram-1 rocket, a significant difference is in their flexibility. Agnibaan stands out as it can accommodate various types of payloads with five different configurations. This means it can carry a wide range of payloads, making it versatile for different missions. Additionally, Agnibaan can be launched from any suitable launch pad by using Dhanush pedestals in the world.
In contrast, Vikram-1 is part of a series of rockets, including Vikram-2 and Vikram-3. Each rocket in this series is designed for specific types of payloads. So, while Vikram-1 can handle certain payloads, other rockets in the series, such as Vikram-2 or Vikram-3, are used for different kinds of missions. Agnibaan’s adaptability and ability to carry diverse payloads make it a more flexible choice compared to the specialized approach of the Vikram series rockets.
But both rockets are manufactured by cutting-edge 3D printing technology so their mass production is possible in minimal manufacturing infrastructure. Both the rockets compete with ISRO’s ‘Small Satellite Launch Vehicle ‘ (SSLV) because all three rockets fall in the same category.
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