For the fourth time in the past three months, Agnikul Cosmos, India’s burgeoning space startup, has called off the test flight of its first rocket, Agnibaan, just seconds before launch.
Scheduled for 5:45 a.m. IST (0015 GMT) on Tuesday, the launch faced an initial delay of less than six minutes before lift-off due to a technical glitch in the countdown activities.
Officials rescheduled the lift-off for 9:25 a.m., but a mere five seconds before the new time, the launch was put on temporary hold to check igniter performance and was subsequently called off altogether.
This latest setback marks the fourth cancellation due to technical issues, with one prior attempt aborted approximately 90 seconds before lift-off.
The mission was expected to last two minutes and aimed to test Agnikul’s new “semi-cryogenic” engine and 3D-printed parts. Success in this endeavor would have signified a significant technological leap for India, as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has not yet successfully flown a semi-cryogenic engine, which uses a mix of liquid and gas for propellant.
The Agnibaan rocket, Agnikul Cosmos’ customizable, two-stage launch vehicle, is capable of carrying up to 300 kg (about 660 lb) of payload to orbits around 700 km (435 miles) in altitude. This is a stark contrast to SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, which can put up to 63,500 kg into low Earth orbit.
The anticipated launch was poised to be a landmark event for Agnikul Cosmos, a startup founded in 2017 that operates India’s first private launchpad and mission control center. All other launchpads in the country are managed by ISRO. The name Agnikul is derived from the Hindi and Sanskrit word for fire.
Despite the delays, Agnikul Cosmos remains committed to advancing its technology and rescheduling the launch. India’s first privately developed rocket was successfully flown by Skyroot Aerospace from ISRO’s launch site in 2022, setting a precedent for private space ventures in the country.
With this mission, Agnikul aims to demonstrate its capabilities and further establish its presence in the growing space industry. The company’s persistence underscores the challenges and complexities involved in space exploration and technology development.
