Agnikul Cosmos commissions India’s first 1-meter 3D rocket printing facility, slashing space manufacturing costs by 50%. A boost for Agnibaan launch vehicle & private space industry.
In a significant leap for India’s private space sector, Chennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmos has announced the commissioning of a state-of-the-art additive manufacturing (3D printing) facility dedicated to aerospace components. This new facility is poised to revolutionize how rockets are built in India, potentially slashing the cost of manufacturing for space by 50 percent.
A key breakthrough of this facility is its capability for 3D printing rocket components up to one meter in height—a first for India. This allows Agnikul to manufacture entire rocket engines in a single print, moving away from traditional methods that involve assembling numerous smaller parts.
An Integrated Ecosystem for Faster, Cheaper Innovation
The facility is not just a printer; it’s a fully integrated ecosystem. It covers the entire production chain—from initial design and simulation to the actual printing, post-processing, and finishing of components. This end-to-end in-house control enhances quality, reliability, and supply chain resilience.
Srinath Ravichandran, Co-founder and CEO of Agnikul Cosmos, highlighted the dramatic improvement in production speed: “This facility will allow the company to print engines measuring one metre and deliver seven times the thrust of its earlier designs. With this facility now commissioned, the company can manufacture these engines in just days, and that too in-house – accelerating development cycles and enabling rapid innovation at scale.”
This agility is critical for a startup aiming to provide on-demand launches for small satellites.
Indigenous Technology for a Self-Reliant Space Industry
Agnikul has also developed supporting technology indigenously, including a custom de-powdering machine. This crucial post-processing system ensures a flawless, space-grade finish on 3D-printed parts. By designing and building this equipment in-house, Agnikul reduces dependencies on foreign suppliers and maintains strict control over quality.
Moin SPM, Co-founder and COO of Agnikul Cosmos, connected this advancement to the company’s broader mission: “Our goal has always been to make access to space reliable and cost-effective. With this facility in place, we are advancing our own launch readiness and also helping shape the foundation for a self-sustaining and globally competitive space industry in India.”
Boosting the Agnibaan Launch Vehicle Program
This new manufacturing capability is a direct boost for Agnikul’s flagship project, the Agnibaan launch vehicle. Agnibaan is a customizable, two-stage rocket designed to carry small satellites (up to 300 kg) to Low Earth Orbit. The ability to rapidly and cost-effectively 3D-print its engines will be a game-changer for the program’s scalability and commercial viability.
The startup, incubated at IIT Madras, made headlines last year by successfully conducting India’s first-ever launch from a private launchpad. This new facility marks the next logical step in its journey: building the infrastructure for sustainable and frequent launches.
By pushing the boundaries of additive manufacturing, Agnikul Cosmos is not only accelerating its own path to orbit but is also firmly establishing India’s capability for innovative, low-cost space transportation systems.
