In a major step for India’s private space sector, Agnikul Cosmos has successfully carried out a critical booster engine test of its Agnite engine, showcasing large-scale 3D printing of rocket engines at an unprecedented level.
“Unlike traditional engines that take 7 months to manufacture, Agnikul’s engines can be fully 3D printed in just 7 days. This dramatically reduces production complexity, turnaround time, and costs. The costs will be one-tenth of what they are now,” said Moin SPM.
The new capability will allow the company to respond faster to launch requirements. It also gives satellite operators access to firm launch schedules, custom orbital paths, and better mission planning compared to shared launch arrangements.
The tested engine is a full 1-metre-long engine — the largest Inconel rocket engine ever built as a single piece. It is also the first of its scale to be tested using electric motor-driven pumps. The test was conducted at the company’s in-house facility in Chennai and reflects its focus on scalable and high-performance engineering. With this, the start-up now operates a fully integrated launch ecosystem that includes in-house mission control, dedicated ground stations, and flight-proven propulsion systems.
For satellite operators in sectors such as defence and disaster response, where timing is critical, the company’s platform offers committed launch windows, precise satellite placement, and the flexibility to make payload changes up to 30 days before launch.
“We chose single-piece Inconel construction and electric pump architecture specifically to solve our customers’ scheduling problems and enhance automation of engine manufacturing. Traditional engines take months to build because you’re machining, welding, and assembling dozens of parts. Ours prints in a few days, which means we can respond to launch demand faster than the industry standard,” said Srinath Ravichandran.
“Electric pumps are simpler than gas generators, with fewer parts to refurbish between flights, which is critical for our reusability roadmap. These are not just technical choices but are the reasons why we can commit to low turnaround and actually deliver on it,” he added.
Traditional satellite launches usually involve multiple players, including vehicle manufacturers, launch providers, and ground station networks. Agnikul’s end-to-end model combines these functions, allowing customers to work with a single team from contract signing to in-orbit operations. This is especially useful for constellation operators, government missions, and companies working against strict timelines.
“This engine test validates that our propulsion systems are ready to operate at the scale required for multiple launches per quarter. Our manufacturing capabilities are enabling us to produce engines in line with customer demand, rather than limiting it. With propulsion now largely de-risked, our focus is firmly on execution and demonstrating consistent launch cadence and mission reliability that can translate this pipeline into long-term partnerships and repeat business,” added Moin.
The test is one of the company’s most important propulsion milestones since its 2024 controlled ascent flight. The company has also set up India’s first large-format aerospace manufacturing facility and secured commercial partnerships for space-based AI infrastructure.
Last month, the start-up test-fired 3 semi-cryogenic engines together in synchronisation — the first such test in India. The company is now valued at over $500 million after a funding round that included participation from HDFC Bank, Advenza Global Limited, and Artha Select Fund.
Most recently, TIDCO invested Rs 25 crore in the company under the TIDCO Startup Investment Policy 2025. It also holds patents in the United States, Europe, and India covering propulsion systems, convertible upper-stage architecture, and orbital platform technologies.
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