AGNIBAAN SORTED (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: For the second time, the launch of AgniKul ‘Agnibaan SOrTeD’ has been postponed.

Agnibaan SOrTeD

• About: It represents a breakthrough in rocket technology, being a single-stage launch vehicle powered by AgniKul’s patented Agnilet engine.
• Full form: Agnibaan SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator.
• Pioneering 3D Printing: It boasts the distinction of being the world’s first single-piece 3D printed semi-cryogenic rocket engine, showcasing advancements in manufacturing techniques.
• Launchpad Location: Scheduled for liftoff from India's premier private launchpad, ALP-01, situated within ISRO’s Sriharikota spaceport, marking a significant milestone in private space exploration.
• Key Features of Agnibaan SOrTeD
• Indigenous Propulsion System: Equipped with India’s first semi-cryogenic engine, the Agnilet, utilizing a subcooled liquid oxygen-based propulsion system, showcasing technological self-reliance.
• Versatile Payload Capacity: Capable of carrying a 100-kg payload to heights of 700 km, with a lift-off mass of 14,000 kgs, enabling diverse mission objectives.
• Orbital Accessibility: Can access both low- and high-inclination orbits, providing flexibility in mission planning, and is characterized by its mobility.
• Cutting-Edge Avionics: Incorporates Ethernet-based avionics architecture and fully in-house developed autopilot software, marking a paradigm shift in control systems.