In order to acknowledge the importance of start-ups in space technology, the Department of Space has signed a framework MoU with Agnikul Cosmos, a space technology start-up, for granting access to the facilities and expertise of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Their combined efforts will help in developing and testing systems and sub-systems of space launch vehicles.
Department of Space, today, September 17, 2021 entered into a Framework MoU with M/s Agnikul Cosmos Pvt. Ltd., Chennai for access to ISRO facilities and expertise. https://t.co/GoPzK7oddP pic.twitter.com/vuaVDNEPdE
— ISRO (@isro) September 17, 2021
Under the agreement, the Agnikul Cosmos, which is based in the National Centre for Combustion R&D of IIT-Madras, Chennai, will be able to undertake multiple tests and access facilities at various ISRO centres for testing and qualification of their single-piece, 3D printed, semi-cryogenic engine and other systems.
“Humbled to sign this MoU with the Department of Space which will formally enable us to go forward with our testing plans at ISRO. With this level of government support, low earth orbit does look close,” Agnikul said in a statement after signing the MoU.
Earlier this year, Agnikul raised $11 million in Series A funding from institutional and angel investors. Not only this, but it has also partnered with EOS India, a 3D printing technology company. This partnership signed last month will expand their synergy in 3D printing for rockets and sub-systems.
The start-up plans to set up an EOS M400-4 printer at its facility and would take technical support of EOS in advancing 3D printing of rocket engines, allowing it to own the entire rocket engine making process in-house. To make it successful, EOS would facilitate and support Agnikul by providing training, process know-how, and best practices for taking hardware that has worked successfully.
Last week, ISRO had also signed a similar framework MoU with a Hyderabad-based start-up named Skyroot Aerospace.
