IIT Madras-incubated start-up, Agnikul Cosmos, successfully launched the world's first rocket with a single-piece 3D printed engine, Agnilet, from Sriharikota, becoming the second private company in India to achieve this feat. The rocket, named Agnibaan, is designed to carry a payload of up to 300 kg to a 700 km orbit. The engine was developed entirely in-house using 3D printing technology, making it cost-effective and simpler to handle compared to traditional engines. This accomplishment marks a major milestone in India's space industry, as the Agnilet engine is the world's first semi-cryogenic rocket engine that uses sub-cooled liquid oxygen and regular fuel. This launch is a significant achievement for the Chennai-based start-up, which faced multiple failed attempts before their successful sub-orbital test flight at 7:15 am on Thursday. The launch was conducted with minimal presence of dignitaries at ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre, without any live streaming.
3D Printing Revolutionizes Indian Aerospace with Agnikul Cosmos' Historic Rocket Launch
India's space industry took a bold leap forward with the successful launch of the Agnibaan rocket, powered by the world's first rocket engine manufactured entirely through 3D printing. This historic achievement marks a significant milestone in the country's space exploration endeavors.
Background: India's Space Program
India has a rich history in space exploration, with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) being a pioneer in the field. ISRO's ambitious missions include the development of advanced rockets, satellites, and space probes, and it has successfully launched numerous satellites and spacecraft over the decades.
Agnikul Cosmos: Incubated Innovation
Agnikul Cosmos is a Chennai-based start-up incubated by IIT Madras. Founded in 2017, the company aims to develop affordable and reliable space launch vehicles using 3D printing technology.
3D Printed Rocket Engine: A Game-Changer
The Agnilet engine is a semi-cryogenic rocket engine that uses sub-cooled liquid oxygen and regular fuel. Unlike traditional engines, it is crafted entirely using 3D printing, resulting in significant cost savings and streamlined manufacturing. This innovative approach allows for faster production, easier assembly, and reduced maintenance.
Agnibaan Launch: A Major Milestone
The Agnibaan rocket, equipped with the Agnilet engine, embarked on its sub-orbital test flight on July 18, 2023, from Sriharikota. The launch was a resounding success, with the rocket successfully reaching its target altitude of 700 km.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What are the advantages of 3D printing in rocket engine manufacturing?
2. Why is the Agnilet engine significant?
3. What are the future plans for Agnikul Cosmos?
4. How does this achievement impact India's space industry?
5. What does the future hold for 3D printing in aerospace?
The success of Agnikul Cosmos' Agnilet engine and the Agnibaan launch is a testament to the innovation and determination driving India's space program. The adoption of 3D printing technology is expected to revolutionize the aerospace industry, paving the way for more ambitious and cost-effective space missions in the future.
The stock market saw a sharp decline in the morning hours of trading on Monday, with the Sensex plunging close to 800 points and the Nifty tanking over 250 points. This was attributed to fresh foreign fund outflows and the cautious stance of investors ahead of the upcoming earnings season. The broader markets also traded in the red, with the Nifty Microcap 250 leading the losses and the Nifty Metal and Realty indices dominating in the red. Meanwhile, the global oil benchmark Brent crude saw a slight dip, while the US markets ended on a positive note on Friday.
Microsoft recently faced a bug that led to the suspension of many Microsoft Rewards accounts. The company has acknowledged the issue and provided a fix, but affected users may have to wait a few hours before regaining access. This bug has caused not just inconvenience, but also the loss of reward points for many loyal Microsoft Rewards users. The error message reads "Your Microsoft Rewards account has been suspended" and may seem like a violation of terms and conditions, but Microsoft has clarified that it was only a technical issue. Despite the fix, affected users are rightfully questioning the false suspension and loss of their reward points.
Today, the much-awaited demerger of ITC Hotels from its parent company ITC was finally executed, with ITC shares starting to trade without its hotels business included. Analysts predict a fair price of Rs 264 per share for ITC Hotels, with shareholder eligibility for its shares being decided based on holdings of ITC shares as of today. The newly demerged ITC Hotels will soon be listed on the bourses, with Nomura expecting a listing price in the range of Rs 200-300 per share. In the meantime, ITC Hotels will remain a part of stock indices where ITC is a constituent, and its listing may be postponed in case of trading circuit limits being hit. This corporate action is expected to significantly impact shareholders of ITC, a prominent blue-chip stock in the Indian market.
The initial public offering (IPO) of Quadrant Future Tek Limited will open on January 7, 2025, and close on January 9, aiming to raise Rs 290 crore. The book-built issue is entirely fresh, with a price band of Rs 275-290 per share. The proceeds from the IPO will be directed towards the company's working capital requirements, capital expenditure, loan repayment, and general corporate purposes. With the estimated listing price at Rs 470, investors could see a potential gain of 62.07% from the IPO.
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released the answer key for the Technician Grade 3 exam held in 2024. Candidates can raise objections by visiting the official websites of their respective zones and entering their application number and date of birth. The last date to raise objections is January 11, 2025, and a fee of Rs. 50 per question must be paid. If the objection is found to be valid, the fee will be refunded to the candidate. Multiple payment options are available for candidates.
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Uber's underperformance in the stock market may not reflect any weakness in the company's business fundamentals. Despite the fear surrounding the potential for robotaxis to disrupt the ride-sharing industry, Uber has the flexibility, financial stability, and adaptability to remain a significant player in the mobility industry. With a strong track record of revenue and profit growth, expanding profit margins, and impressive cash flow, Uber appears undervalued and worth considering as a buy for long-term investors.
A Bengaluru court has granted interim bail to Nikita Singhania, the wife of deceased techie Atul Subhash. Atul had passed away last month, following which Nikita was accused by his family of provoking him to commit suicide. However, the court has granted her bail, allowing for further investigation into the matter. This decision by the court has brought some relief to Nikita and her family amidst this tragedy.
Amazon's chief executive Andy Jassy has announced that all staff will be expected to return to working in the office full-time starting in January. This decision has sparked backlash as it goes against the company's previous hybrid work policy and adds pressure to already overwhelmed corporate staff. Jassy's concern for maintaining Amazon's intense start-up culture and avoiding bureaucratic layers has led to these changes, potentially resulting in job cuts. However, some employees are claiming unfair retaliation, opening up a dispute with labour officials.