The India Space Research Organisation (Isro) on Tuesday said that it has successfully conducted a hot test of a rocket engine developed by Agnikul Cosmos, an aerospace startup. The hot test was conducted at Isro's lead center for the development of launch vehicles, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
The hot test was conducted by firing the Agnilet Engine for 15 seconds on November 4 at its Vertical Test Facility, Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), Thiruvananthapuram. The engine is a regeneratively cooled 1.4 kN semi-cryogenic engine that works at a chamber pressure of 10.8 bar and uses Liquid oxygen and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) as propellants.
The test was part of the memorandum signed between ISRO and M/s Agnikul Cosmos Pvt. Ltd. to provide an opportunity for Indian space start-ups to use the facilities of ISRO through IN-SPACe.
"This engine is realised through state-of-the-art 3D printing technology and the material of construction is INCONEL-718," Isro said in a statement.
The announcement came hours after another aerospace startup Skyroot said that it will conduct the maiden launch of a privately developed rocket in the second week of November. The Prarambh mission will launch from Isro's Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
While the company has said that the mission could be launched between November 12-16, they are yet to release any details about the final launch date. The company has already received a technical launch clearance from IN-SPACe, the country's nodal agency for promoting and regulating space-tech players.
Website: https://www.brahmastraspace.org/blog