India’s push to develop indigenous reusable space transportation systems has received a boost with the Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), agreeing to provide ₹200 crore in financial support to Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos Pvt Ltd.
The support comes under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund and will be provided through Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCD). The project aims to advance Agnikul’s reusable Agnibaan launch vehicle from Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-4 and above to TRL-8.
Focus on a fully reusable launch system
The programme aims to go beyond the conventional model of recovering only the first stage of a rocket. Agnikul plans to develop a fully reusable launch system that can support frequent and repeatable missions.
The proposed system is expected to reduce launch and manufacturing costs while also helping minimise space debris.
The Agnibaan RLV will feature a lightweight upper stage, precise orbital insertion capabilities and a semi-cryogenic liquid propulsion system with deep-throttling and restart capabilities. These technologies are designed to provide greater flexibility during missions and enable repeated use of the launch vehicle.
Reusable propulsion and recovery technologies
The RDI-supported programme will cover key technologies required for a reusable launch architecture, including propulsion, ascent, orbital insertion, descent and recovery.
The proposed vehicle will use a reusable upper-stage architecture and a descent propulsion system. Controlled descent and recovery will be among the key areas of development.
Restartable and deep-throttling propulsion systems will also play an important role, particularly during descent and landing operations.
Agnikul’s earlier rocket technology
Agnikul has already demonstrated several technologies through its development and testing programmes. These include Agnibaan, its indigenous orbital-class launch vehicle, and Agnilet, a single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine developed and manufactured by the company.
TDB had previously supported Agnikul in developing and commercialising a modular and configurable launch vehicle designed for small satellite missions.
Government support for advanced space technology
The new project falls under the RDI Fund’s priority area covering advanced and reusable launch vehicles and propulsion innovation in space technologies.
TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said India’s next phase of space development would require technologies capable of reaching orbit more frequently, flexibly and efficiently. He said reusability would be an important technology frontier and that the RDI Fund was supporting indigenous technologies that require sustained investment to move towards deployment.
Agnikul’s promoters said developing reusable rockets requires the integration of propulsion, vehicle design, guidance, recovery and mission operations into a highly reliable system.
They said the TDB support would help the company advance Agnibaan towards an operational reusable launch vehicle and strengthen India’s capabilities for repeatable access to space.
