{"id":"f-73cd9b4b27-a42cc1a5-64e3-54a5-a82c-c3e481066a85","title":"Agnikul test-fires cluster of 3 semi-cryogenic engines","description":"Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos has successfully demonstrated three clustered Agnilet engines firing together. This is the first such test in India, and even ISRO does not possess this technology yet.","timestamp":1772284860,"category":"technology","headline":"Agnikul test-fires cluster of 3 semi-cryogenic engines","modifiedHeadline":"Agnikul Test-Fires 3 Rocket Engines","subCategories":["scid_5481d7c6"],"subcategoriesName":["Space Exploration"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"b162fe12-9cac-4117-a958-cc0604a457de","bundleTitle":"Science Simplified","cardData":null},"fcSummary":"chennai-based agnikul cosmos successfully test-fired three clustered, 3d-printed semi-cryogenic rocket engines, a first for india. the engines, powered by electric motors instead of turbopumps, mark a significant advancement in space technology. agnikul plans its first orbital flight in 2026, featuring a reusable booster and satellite-converting upper stage.","summary":"Agnikul Cosmos test-fired 3 clustered, 3D-printed engines—a first for India. Orbital flight planned for 2026, showcasing innovative tech.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/astrology/IN/en/news9/f-73cd9b4b27-a42cc1a5-64e3-54a5-a82c-c3e481066a85","sourceUrl":"https://www.news9live.com/science/agnikul-test-fires-cluster-of-3-semi-cryogenic-engines-2935511","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/BJrWJzTsVIo0.webp","content":"

New Delhi: Chennai-based new space startup Agnikul Cosmos has successfully test-fired three clustered semi-cryogenic rocket engines simultaneously. All

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the three Agnilet engines were 3D printed as a single piece of hardware, designed and manufactured in-house at the Agnikul Cosmos Rocket Factory 1, hosted by the IIT Madras Research Park. The test involved calibrating six pumps, six motors and tuning six speed control algorithms to sync up the engines and achieve uniform startup, with steady state firing and shutdown performance across the entire system. This is the first time that such a test has been conducted with semi-cryogenic engines in India.

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Humbled to share that we successfully test fired 3 semi-cryogenic rocket engines simultaneously, as a cluster. All the 3 engines are 3d printed as single pieces of hardware – designed and manufactured in-house at AgniKul Cosmos Rocket Factory – 1. As with all our propulsion… pic.twitter.com/yGv8nLZdia
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— AgniKul Cosmos (@AgnikulCosmos) February 23, 2026
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ISRO primarily uses single or twin-engine configurations across its operational fleet, with plans for clustering engines on the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) or Soorya. The semi-cryogenic engine that ISRO is developing is designed for clustering. In October 2025, Agnikul had performed a similar test but with a two-engine configuration instead of a three-engine clustering. All the three engines are fed by electric motors. Conventionally, such engines use turbopumps to feed the rocket fuel, which are essentially super fast gas-powered turbines. Agnikul has replaced these turbopumps with electric motors developed in-house. Rocket Lab is the first to use such pumps on its Rutherford engine for its successful and operational Electron rocket.

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First Orbital Flight in 2026

While Agnikul was initially planning an expendable Agnibaan rocket, in September 2025, the company revealed a revamped architecture with a reusable first stage booster and an upper stage that converts into a satellite, ensuring that no part of the rocket gets wasted, and reducing space debris. In the same month, Agnikul also established the largest 3D printing facility in India, dedicated to producing rockets. Agnikul demonstrated its technology with a suborbital flight in May 2024, with the first orbital flight planned for 2026, where the booster will attempt to land on an ocean platform. Agnikul has recently signed an agreement with NeevCloud to deploy an orbital data centre, with the first launch expected by the end of the year.

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Agnikul test-fires cluster of 3 semi-cryogenic engines

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