Agnibaan Test Mission Postponed by Agnikul Just Before Launch
For the third consecutive time, Agnikul, a pioneering private aerospace firm, has postponed the inaugural test launch of its Agnibaan SOrTeD rocket, due to technical challenges as the primary reason for the delay. The planned launch from India's first private launchpad, ALP-01, situated at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, was abruptly halted just moments before liftoff.
The SOrTeD mission, an abbreviation for Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator, entails showcasing a single-stage launch vehicle propelled by a semi-cryogenic engine known as the Agnilet. Developed domestically, this engine employs a sub-cooled liquid oxygen-based propulsion system, marking a significant technological leap for India's aerospace industry.
Initially slated for Saturday, the test launch was rescheduled for Sunday as the aerospace company undertook attentive pre-launch checks, uncovering unforeseen technical issues that necessitated further investigation and resolution.
Originating from IIT-Madras, the rocket manufacturer refrained from providing any specific explanations for the postponement of the Agnibaan launch when it was initially postponed in March, leaving industry observers speculating about the underlying challenges.
As of now, Agnikul has not disclosed a revised launch date for Agnibaan, a versatile two-stage launch vehicle designed to accommodate payloads of up to 300 kg into an orbit approximately 700 km above Earth.
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