Agnikul Cosmos, the Chennai-based private space startup, has achieved a significant milestone by successfully test-firing India’s first electric motor-driven semi-cryogenic rocket engine, which will power its upcoming Agnibaan launch vehicle.

The breakthrough, announced on Friday, marks a major leap for India’s rapidly evolving private space sector and places Agnikul at the forefront of propulsion technology innovation.

The engine’s most notable feature is its electric motor-driven throttling system, which enables precise control over thrust by varying the speed of the electric motor.

This capability allows for higher accuracy and rapid response—critical for managing complex flight trajectories and mission requirements. During the test, the engine was throttled across a wide range of thrust levels, demonstrating the flexibility and reliability of the technology.

Unlike conventional rocket engines that rely on gas generators or turbopumps, Agnikul’s semi-cryogenic engine uses an electric motor to power the pumps that circulate propellants—a combination of liquid oxygen (cryogenic oxidizer) and refined kerosene (non-cryogenic fuel).

This approach is not only more efficient but also allows for easier integration of advanced control systems.

Agnikul’s signature single-piece engine design remains central to this new system. Many of the engine’s pump subsystems were 3D-printed and assembled at the company’s AS9100D-certified Rocket Factory-1, located at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai.

The motor drives and associated control software were also designed and developed entirely in-house.

The successful test is a key step toward firing a cluster of these engines together, a crucial requirement for powering the Agnibaan rocket.

Agnibaan, which can be configured to carry payloads ranging from 30 kg to 300 kg, is designed to serve the growing demand for affordable and customisable satellite launches.