Daily Current Affairs : 19-August-2023

In a significant stride towards India’s growing prominence in space technology, Chennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmos has unveiled its ambitions to conquer the final frontier. The company recently announced its plan to initiate integration checks for a suborbital space flight from the Sriharikota launchpad. This endeavor could mark a pivotal moment in India’s space industry, positioning Agnikul as the second Indian space-tech company to send a vehicle to space, following the successful launch of Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-S rocket in 2022.

Agnikul’s Suborbital Tech Demonstrator (SorTeD): Agnibaan

Agnikul’s star player in this journey is the Suborbital Tech Demonstrator (SorTeD) single-stage launch vehicle, affectionately known as Agnibaan. Here are some key details about this innovative spacecraft:

  1. Mission Profile: Agnibaan will take off vertically and adhere to a meticulously planned trajectory, ensuring precision in its suborbital space flight.
  2. Payload Capacity: The spacecraft boasts the capability to transport payloads of up to 100 kg to a low Earth orbit (LEO) as high as 700 km, accommodating one or multiple satellites.
  3. Revolutionary Agnilet Engine: At the heart of Agnibaan lies the Agnilet engine. This engine is a game-changer in rocketry, being entirely 3D-printed and a single-piece wonder. It has a thrust of 6 kN and employs a unique propellant mixture of liquid kerosene at room temperature and supercold liquid oxygen.
Challenges in 3D Printing for Space Vehicles

While 3D printing offers several advantages in terms of rapid prototyping and customization, it also has its limitations, especially in the context of space vehicle manufacturing:

  • Scalability Issue: Unlike conventional manufacturing techniques, 3D printing is not conducive to large-scale production. It excels in rapid iterations but lags behind when mass-producing components.
Private Sector’s Role in India’s Space Industry

The inclusion of private players in India’s space sector gained momentum in 2020 with the establishment of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). This development aimed to enhance private participation in India’s space activities. At that time, the Indian industry held only a meager 3% share in the global space economy, primarily supplying components and sub-systems.

With IN-SPACe in action, Indian private companies have greater access to ISRO’s facilities and resources. They can even construct their own launchpads within the Sriharikota launch station, with ISRO providing the essential land.

Benefits for ISRO

The increased involvement of the private sector in India’s space endeavors offers manifold advantages for ISRO:

  1. Strategic Focus: With private entities taking on routine activities such as satellite launches, ISRO can concentrate on more strategic objectives, including scientific research, development, and interplanetary exploration.
  2. Commercial Viability: The commercialization of satellite and payload launches is a global trend. ISRO, like NASA, can capitalize on this trend by making its facilities and data available to private players, generating revenue and promoting space research.

Important Points:

Agnikul Cosmos and Agnibaan:

  • Agnikul Cosmos, a Chennai-based space-tech startup, is preparing for a suborbital space flight from the Sriharikota launchpad.
  • If successful, Agnikul will become the second Indian space-tech company to achieve this feat, following Skyroot Aerospace.
  • Agnikul’s spacecraft, Agnibaan, is a single-stage launch vehicle with unique features:
    • Vertical takeoff and precise trajectory.
    • Payload capacity of up to 100 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO).
    • Revolutionary Agnilet engine, fully 3D-printed and using a mix of liquid kerosene and supercold liquid oxygen.

Challenges of 3D Printing in Space Vehicles:

  • 3D printing enables rapid prototyping but faces scalability issues compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
  • It excels in rapid iterations but lags behind in mass-producing components.

Private Sector’s Role in India’s Space Industry:

  • The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) was established in 2020 to promote private participation in space activities.
  • Historically, the Indian industry had a mere 3% share in the global space economy, mainly supplying components.
  • Private companies now have access to ISRO’s facilities and resources, even building their launchpads within the Sriharikota launch station.

Benefits for ISRO:

  • Greater private involvement allows ISRO to focus on strategic objectives such as scientific research, development, and interplanetary exploration.
  • ISRO can participate in the commercialization of satellite launches, mirroring global trends.
  • By providing facilities and data to private players, ISRO can generate revenue and advance space research.
Why In News

Chennai-based space-tech startup Agnikul Cosmos recently made an exciting announcement, revealing that they have transported their meticulously crafted rocket to the Sriharikota launchpad. Their objective? To initiate thorough integration checks, marking a significant step forward in their preparations for an upcoming suborbital space flight.

MCQs about Agnikul Cosmos

  1. What is IN-SPACe?
    A. A new space mission to explore distant planets
    B. A fuel source used in space rockets
    C. A government initiative to promote private participation in India’s space activities
    D. A satellite launched by ISRO
    Correct Answer: C. A government initiative to promote private participation in India’s space activities
    Explanation: IN-SPACe is the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, a government initiative aimed at encouraging greater private involvement in India’s space activities.
  2. What is the significance of 3D printing in space vehicle manufacturing?
    A. It allows for mass production of components at a faster rate than traditional methods.
    B. It is a scalable manufacturing technique suitable for large volumes.
    C. It enables rapid prototyping but is not as scalable as conventional manufacturing methods.
    D. It is the primary method used in rocket propulsion.
    Correct Answer: C. It enables rapid prototyping but is not as scalable as conventional manufacturing methods.
    Explanation: While 3D printing is advantageous for rapid prototyping, it is not as scalable as conventional manufacturing methods for mass production.
  3. What are the key benefits of increased private sector involvement in India’s space industry?
    A. Greater access to international space collaborations and research opportunities.
    B. Increased government funding for space exploration.
    C. The ability for ISRO to focus on strategic objectives and generate revenue by offering facilities and data to private players.
    D. A reduction in the number of space missions launched by ISRO.
    Correct Answer: C. The ability for ISRO to focus on strategic objectives and generate revenue by offering facilities and data to private players.
    Explanation: The increased private sector involvement allows ISRO to concentrate on strategic objectives, such as research and development, while also generating revenue by providing facilities and data to private players.

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