Agnibaan SOrTeD (short form of SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator)

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Agnibaan SOrTeD (short form of SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator) is a planned suborbital test-flight of the Agnibaan launch vehicle, manufactured by Indian space startup Agnikul Cosmos.

AgniKul Cosmos Private Limited is an Indian aerospace manufacturer based in National Center for Combustion R&D (NCRD) of IIT Madras, Chennai. The start up aims to develop and launch its own small-lift launch vehicle such as the Agnibaan, capable of placing 100 kg (220 lb) payload into a 700 km (430 mi) orbit. The first commercial launch was expected in 2022. However, no launch happened in that year. The first suborbital mission will be conducted on 22 March 2024.

The SOrTeD mission is a single-stage launch vehicle demonstration that will be powered by a semi-cryogenic engine called the Agnilet. The test flight will last just over two minutes The 6.2 meter-tall vehicle will have an elliptical nose cone at the top to protect the package from harsh conditions during the flight.

Unlike traditional sounding rockets that typically launch from guide rails, Agnibaan SOrTeD will lift off vertically and follow a predetermined trajectory while executing a precisely coordinated series of maneuvers during flight. This innovative approach sets Agnibaan apart and highlights the advanced technology and capabilities employed by Agnikul Cosmos for its maiden sub-orbital flight.

For Flight Control The vehicle is equipped with four carbon composite fins to provide passive control. Agnikul has said that the active pitch and yaw control will be achieved through two-plane gimballing, and together, these systems will enable controlled vertical ascent.The company has integrated Agnibaan SOrTeD with the flight termination system developed by ISRO.

The Mission will take place from India's first private launchpad, located close to ISRO facilities near SDSC. Agnikul has received authorization to establish a unique launch pad near the sea on Sriharikota island, complete with its dedicated control room. The pad has received the name"Dhanush" and referred as ALP-01. Agnikul will become the Second Indian private spaceflight company to test it's orbital launch system, following Skyroot Aerospace and their Vikram-S rocket.

The 580 kilogram rocket, will lift off from Sriharikota and in the first flight could go only as high as 20 kilometres above the Earth, before plunging down into the Bay of Bengal and may carry upto 7 kg of payloads.The data that it will provide will help engineers fine-tune and shape the development of the Agnibaan launch vehicle. It was initially planned to launch at 7 AM IST on 22nd March 2024 but was postponed.

  1. Economic Times,
  2. Wikipedia

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