Chennai-based space technology startup Agnikul announced on Tuesday that it has successfully tested its one-piece 3D-printed Agnilet engine at the Vertical Test Facility at Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launch Station (TERLS ) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram.

With support from IN-SPACe and ISRO, this study was conducted to validate the technological risk that rocket engines could be manufactured as a single piece of hardware.

The start-up recently announced that the Indian government has granted it the patent to design and manufacture its one-piece rocket engines. Agnilet is the world's first 3D-printed one-piece rocket engine designed and manufactured entirely in India. It was effectively tested at IIT Madras in 2021. This new test at TERLS validated the design and manufacturing methodology, followed by commissioning. The start-up also said it could be a milestone for India's 3D printing know-how.

Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder and CEO of Agnikul, said: "In addition to validating our internal expertise, this is also a tremendous step in understanding the design, development and launch of rocket engines at an advanced level. expert."

Moin SPM, Co-Founder and COO, Agnikul, said, "Thanks to IN-SPACe's efforts, the non-public area ecosystem is growing in the best sense and also has access to science. advanced applications and has a glimpse of the world. -class goods that are in the nation are included.

Agnikul recently announced the inauguration of its Rocket Factory-1, India's first-ever rocket facility dedicated to 3D printing such large-scale rocket engines, located at the IIT Madras Research Park. Founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM and Prof. SR Chakravarthy (from IIT Madras), Agnikul aims to make the home accessible and profitable. Founded by IIT Madras, the start-up was the first Indian company to sign an agreement with ISRO in December 2020. The agreement signed under the IN-SPACe initiative grants Agnikul access to the experience and services of ISRO to validate its techniques.

Agnikul has raised a total of ₹105 crore (US$15 million) in funding since 2019 from Mayfield India, pi Ventures, Speciale Invest and a number of others along with outstanding angels like Anand Mahindra and Naval Ravikant.