Another Delay for Agnikul Cosmos: Fourth Aborted Launch in Three Months

India’s ‘promising’ private space company, Agnikul Cosmos, faced yet another hiccup on Tuesday 28 May, with their much-anticipated rocket launch. This marks the fourth time in just three months that they’ve had to call off a test flight at the last minute. Let’s dive into the details.

Countdown to Disappointment

The latest launch attempt of Agnikul’s Agnibaan rocket was scheduled for a bright and early 5:45 a.m. IST (that’s 0015 GMT for the global audience). Everything seemed on track until—bam!—less than six minutes before liftoff, a “technical glitch in the countdown activities” threw a wrench in the works. But, hey, they were optimistic and reset the clock, aiming for a new launch time of 9:25 a.m.

Fast forward a few hours, and with just five seconds left on the countdown, the mission was put on a “temporary hold to check igniter performance.” Unfortunately, this hold turned into a complete call-off. Talk about a rollercoaster ride of emotions!

The Agnibaan Rocket: A Quick Overview

Now, for a bit of background on the star of the show, the Agnibaan rocket. It’s a slick, customizable, 2-stage launch vehicle capable of hoisting up to 300 kg (about 660 lbs) of payload to orbits around 700 km (435 miles) in altitude. In comparison, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy is a beast, handling up to 63,500 kg to low Earth orbit.

The Agnibaan is also India’s first privately built rocket using a combination of gas and liquid fuel, thanks to its innovative “semi-cryogenic” engine. This engine, along with 3D-printed parts, was set to be tested during the two-minute mission. Success would have been a significant technological leap for India, especially since ISRO itself hasn’t flown a semi-cryogenic engine yet.

Agnikul Cosmos: Pioneers in Private Space

Agnikul Cosmos, founded in 2017, is a trailblazer in the Indian private space sector. The company’s name, drawn from Hindi and Sanskrit meaning “family of fire,” seems fitting for a group aiming to ignite India’s private space ambitions. They even boast the country’s first private launchpad and mission control center, a milestone given that ISRO operates all other launchpads.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

India’s first privately developed rocket launch came courtesy of Skyroot Aerospace in 2022, paving the way for other private players like Agnikul. Despite the setbacks, the team’s spirit remains unshaken. These delays are all part of the process in the high-stakes game of space exploration.

So, what’s next for Agnikul Cosmos? While the latest delay is undoubtedly a bummer, it’s also a reminder of the complexities involved in space launches. We’re rooting for them to iron out these kinks and finally get that rocket off the ground.

Stay tuned for more updates from the cosmos, and here’s hoping for a smooth countdown and a successful launch next time around!

  Agnibaan Rocket