Agnikul Cosmos Private Ltd is on the verge of launching its Agnibaan rocket on a pioneering sub-orbital mission by the end of March, pending official approval, disclosed sources within the space sector.
The highly anticipated mission is scheduled to take place from the company’s dedicated launch pad located in Sriharikota, a coastal town in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, India. This launch pad, strategically positioned within the premises of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) rocketport, serves as the focal point for Agnikul’s ambitious ventures into space.
A senior official from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), speaking on the condition of anonymity, informed IANS that Agnikul’s request for permission to conduct a suborbital flight is currently under review.
Meanwhile, officials at ISRO’s Sriharikota base, also choosing to remain anonymous, confirmed that the company’s rocket is poised on its launch pad, awaiting clearance for liftoff towards the latter part of this month.
The upcoming mission, known as Agnibaan SOrTeD (SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator), is slated for a launch window between March 22 and March 28.
Agnikul has disclosed that Agnibaan is an advanced two-stage rocket capable of carrying payloads weighing up to 300 kg to altitudes of up to 700 km. Fueled by liquid oxygen and kerosene, the rocket engines represent the forefront of propulsion technology.
With its mobile design tailored to access over 10 launch ports, Agnibaan boasts versatility, enabling it to traverse both low and high-inclination orbits, as outlined by company sources.
Despite multiple attempts to seek comment, Agnikul Co-founder and CEO Srinath Ravichandran remained unreachable for response.
The IN-SPACe’s launch manifest for the current fiscal year includes a variety of upcoming missions, including the AGNIBAAN-SORTeD suborbital venture by Agnikul Cosmos.
