Chennai friends create history with 3D printed rocket engine
Two longtime friends from Chennai who share a passion for rocketry have made history by launching the country's first ever rocket powered by a single-piece 3D printed engine. Moin S P M and Srinath Ravichandran, who grew up playing cricket together, founded space startup Agnikul Cosmos in 2017 with a vision to make access to space more affordable.
Though they had different career paths after college, with Moin running a fragrance business and Ravichandran working on Wall Street, the childhood friends decided to come together to pursue their rocketry dreams. They realized 3D printing held potential to lower costs and simplify assembly of launch vehicles. Their innovative idea was to design a rocket engine that could be entirely 3D printed as a single piece, removing the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of components.
After securing guidance from advisors in the field, Agnikul worked to develop the intricate engine design and technology required to print it as one unit. On May 30th, the first test of their sub-orbital rocket named Agnibaan SOrTeD lifted off successfully from Sriharikota spaceport. Equipped with the world's first single-piece 3D printed engine, it validated the groundbreaking technology.
Compared to conventional methods requiring complex manufacturing and lengthy assembly, 3D printing the bespoke Agnikul engine as a single component promises significantly faster production times. The startup now aims to conduct orbital launches by the end of the year as it strives to make India a major player in the emerging small satellite market. This inspiring story shows how indigenous innovation and childhood friendships can come together to make the impossible, possible.
