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.
FUNToken, an emerging token in the blockchain market, has gained attention for its successful combination of user growth, sustainable revenue, and real deflationary mechanics. With a recent burn of 25 million tokens tied to platform revenues, the project has shown its commitment to reducing supply and increasing value for holders. Audited by CertiK and with a roadmap focused on product rollouts and expanding its user base, FUNToken has the potential to reach 10 cents by 2025 and offer significant upside for investors.
Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries has recently announced their acquisition of the home appliance brand Kelvinator. This move is aimed at expanding their presence in the growing consumer durables market in India. While the exact amount paid for the acquisition was not disclosed, Reliance believes that bringing Kelvinator under its umbrella will help them strengthen their retail network and tap into the trust and reputation that Kelvinator has built over the years in India. This strategic move is expected to give Reliance an edge in providing reliable global products to the Indian market and further solidify their position in the evolving consumer durables sector.
Andy Byron, the CEO of Astronomer, has either deactivated or permanently removed his LinkedIn account after he was caught on camera sharing an intimate moment with his colleague Kristin Cabot at Coldplay's Boston concert. The footage of them on the Kiss cam segment went viral, causing massive criticism and allegations of cheating. In a now-deleted LinkedIn post, Byron had praised Cabot for her transformative role in the company since she joined in November 2024. However, following the incident, his wife Megan Kerrigan, who works at the Bancroft School, dropped her surname from her Facebook profile.
The popular file transfer platform WeTransfer has updated its service terms to remove any mention of machine learning and AI, following intense user backlash. This comes after the company's original terms of service suggested that user-uploaded files could be used to improve its AI models. The update hopes to reassure users about their privacy and content ownership, amid growing concerns about tech companies using AI and machine learning to scrape data from the internet without consent.
With its origins traced back to the conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch, Fox News has garnered a strong following among the Republican party in the United States. Not only does the channel dominate in viewership among Democrats, but it also boasts a significant number of former employees as senior members of President Donald Trump's administration. Based on recent surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center, this piece delves into the details of Fox News' audience and its impact on American politics and media.
When Kevin Kleinhans hired a locksmith to replace a handle on his garage door, he never imagined it would end in disaster. After the locksmith left his door in worse shape and charged him $530, Kleinhans turned to Contact 6 for help. Thanks to their intervention, Kleinhans and 16 other Wisconsin consumers were able to resolve their cases and save a total of $34,175.36. Contact 6 continues to be a trusted resource for consumers facing all kinds of problems, providing valuable assistance and bringing justice to those who have been wronged.
As part of his visit to Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the Amrit Bharat Express train service, connecting Patna to New Delhi. Offering upgraded facilities and a top speed of 130 km per hour, the train will cover the 1000-kilometre journey in just 10 hours. This new service is expected to improve rail connectivity and offer a reliable and affordable travel option for thousands of passengers. Media reports suggest that the train may stop at 12 stations, including important cities such as Prayagraj and Kanpur, but the exact route and fare are yet to be officially announced.
Tesla is set to release a larger version of their popular Model Y SUV in China this fall, with a 6-seat configuration and dual motors. With an expected demand of 140,000 units from the Chinese market alone, Tesla's global sales could potentially double with the launch of this new model. Targeted towards the growing demand for larger SUVs in China, the Model YL is expected to compete with other popular models such as the Rivian R1S and the Kia EV9.
Tesla's entry into India's electric vehicle market marks a new milestone in the country's electrification journey. Despite its higher starting price of Rs 60 lakh, Tesla's Model Y (RWD) has the potential to compete with other popular EV models like Kia EV6, BYD Sealion, Hyundai Ioniq 5, BMW iX1, and Mercedes-Benz EQA. However, the company's unconventional decision to import CBUs from China instead of setting up a local manufacturing unit presents challenges in a market dominated by Chinese EV makers like BYD. Despite these hurdles, India's growing middle class presents a lucrative opportunity for Tesla to increase its global sales, which have seen a decline in key markets like the US and China.
The electric vehicle sector in India reached a noteworthy milestone on Tuesday as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated Tesla's first showroom in the country. The American EV giant launched its Model Y SUV with a starting price of Rs 60 lakh at the Experience Centre in Mumbai's upscale Bandra-Kurla Complex. With this launch, Fadnavis highlighted the state's commitment towards promoting innovation and sustainability in the automobile sector, while Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik also attended the event.