3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Agnikul Test Fires Printed Rocket Engine
qidi

Agnikul Test Fires Printed Rocket Engine

November 9, 2022

Space startup Agnikul Cosmos has announced the successful test firing of their 3D printed rocket engine at an ISRO test facility in Thiruvananthapuram, India.

Last week, the printed Agnilet engine ran for 15 seconds at the Vertical Test Facility, at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), which is a facility owned and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The test was made possible due to a new policy by the Indian government which allows space startups to utilize ISRO facilities for their projects. Isro and Agnikul Cosmos have signed one such memorandum as part of the deal through the IN-SPACe, which is the agency responsible for promoting Indian space start-up interests.

Agnilet

The Agnilet engine is a semi-cryogenic engine printed out of Inconel-718, a nickel super-alloy valued for its high temperature resistance and dimensional stability.

The engine is fueled by liquid oxygen (LOX) and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) and is capable of pumping out 3kN of thrust at sea level.

It was the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed metal rocket engine and was successfully test-fired at IIT Madras back in 2021 to prove the concept. The new test last week has validated the design and manufacturing methods used in production of the engine.

rocket test
Hot test fire & chamber pressure vs time graph for the rocket test. (Image credit: Agnikul Cosmos / ISRO)

“This is an unforgettable moment for all of us here at Agnikul,” said Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder and CEO at Agnikul.

“Besides validating our in-house technology, this is also a huge step in understanding how to design, develop and fire rocket engines at a professional level. We are incredibly thankful to IN-SPACe and ISRO for making this happen. Also grateful to the Indian Government for having made such efforts possible by the creation of IN-SPACe.”

You can see an example of the printed Inconel Agnilet engine in the image below. The printed engine consists of an injector plate, combustion chamber, cooling channels, and throat section. Other 3D printed components include an electric LOX pump to push the cryogenic fluid into the engine’s combustion chamber.

Printed Agnite motor
Printed Agnite motor (Image credit: Agnikul Cosmos)

The rockets will be produced at Rocket Factory-1 at the IIT Madras Research Park. The new facility will provide the complete capabilities for manufacturing rocket engines on the same premises.

“The private space ecosystem is growing in the right direction and also gets access to the state-of-art technologies to make and test world-class products inside the country,” said Moin SPM, Co-founder & COO at Agnikul.

“This is a major milestone for us and the Indian private space ecosystem.

With the efforts of IN-SPACe, the private space ecosystem is growing in the right direction and also gets access to the state-of-art technologies to make and test world class products inside the country. Thus, directly contributing to the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar bharat initiatives.”

Aatmanirbhar Bharat was an initiative started by Prime Minister Modi, and intends to make India a self-reliant nation.

Asides from the news of a successful hot fire test on the printed engine, there is other good news for the Indian space tech scene this week, as Skyroot Aerospace will launch India’s first private rocket next week. Their Dhawan-1 engine was also 3D printed.

Agnikul’s 3D-printed engine is expected to make a test flight by the end of 2022.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Phillip Keane
Phillip is an aerospace engineer from UK. He is a graduate of Coventry University (UK), International Space University (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), where he studied Advanced Manufacturing at the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

Japanese Company 3D Prints House Using Soil-Based Materials

A Japanese company has completed construction of a 3D-printed house using soil-based materials instead of traditional concrete. The Lib Earth House Model B,... read more »

Construction
Japanese Company 3D Prints House Using Soil-Based Materials

Binghamton University Receives $550,000 NSF Grant to Integrate Biobatteries with 3D Printing

Binghamton University Professor Seokheun "Sean" Choi has received a $550,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a manufacturing process that integrates... read more »

News
Binghamton University Receives $550,000 NSF Grant to Integrate Biobatteries with 3D Printing

EU Project Combines AI and Bio-Based Materials for 3D Printing Wind Turbine Components

The EU-funded ORGANIC project is a four-year project aimed at developing 3D printing technology that combines bio-inspired structures with artificial intelligence. Led by... read more »

Environmental
EU Project Combines AI and Bio-Based Materials for 3D Printing Wind Turbine Components

Creality Falcon A1 Pro Set to Launch in August with Smarter, Faster 20W Laser Engraving

Creality Falcon, the laser engraving-focused sub-brand from Creality, is preparing to launch its most advanced desktop engraver to date. The new Falcon A1... read more »

News
Creality Falcon A1 Pro Set to Launch in August with Smarter, Faster 20W Laser Engraving

Scrona Partners with K1 Solution to Distribute EHD Printing Technology in South Korea

Scrona AG has signed a distribution agreement with K1 Solution Co., Ltd. to bring its electrohydrodynamic (EHD) inkjet printing technology to the South... read more »

News

EPFL Researchers Develop Programmable Lattice Structure for Robotics Using Single Foam Material

Researchers at Switzerland's EPFL have created a 3D-printable lattice structure that can mimic different biological tissue properties using a single foam material. The... read more »

Electronics
EPFL Researchers Develop Programmable Lattice Structure for Robotics Using Single Foam Material

Signify Launches 3D-Printed Office Lighting Made from 75% Recycled Materials

Signify has introduced Puzzle, a linear pendant lighting system designed for office environments. The product is available in 4-foot and 5-foot sizes for... read more »

News
Signify Launches 3D-Printed Office Lighting Made from 75% Recycled Materials

Decibel Showcases Large-Scale 3D Printing at Milan Design Week with PORTAL Exhibition

Decibel presented its PORTAL exhibition at Milan's Salone del Mobile 2025, featuring a 15-foot robotic arm that 3D printed furniture pieces daily in... read more »

News
Decibel Showcases Large-Scale 3D Printing at Milan Design Week with PORTAL Exhibition

BMW Group Converts Waste Into New Manufacturing Components

BMW Group has developed a recycling system that converts waste 3D printing powder and used parts into new filament for manufacturing production tools... read more »

Automotive
BMW Group Converts Waste Into New Manufacturing Components

HeyGears Introduces Multi-Material 3D Printed Dentures

HeyGears demonstrated its Multi-Material Fusion resin 3D printed dentures at LMT LAB DAY Chicago 2025. The technology uses Digital Light Processing (DLP) photopolymerization... read more »

Dental
HeyGears Introduces Multi-Material 3D Printed Dentures at Chicago Lab Event

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing