Now rockets will not only be released from the Government rocket launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Center located in Sriharikota, they will also be launched from private launch pads. India’s First Private Rocket Launchpad and Mission Control Center has been inaugurated. Soon a private rocket named Agnibaan will be launched from here.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chief Dr. Somnath inaugurated the country’s first private launchpad and mission control center on the Sriharikota island.
Somanath said, “India can now travel to space from one more space platform.”
Private launchpad
This launchpad and control center has been built by the private space company, AgniKul Cosmos. ISRO and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) scientists have helped Agnikul’s team in this. It has two sections: the Agnikul launchpad and the Agnikul mission control center.
All critical systems connecting these two sections, which are 4 km away from each other, are redundant to ensure 100% operationality during countdown.
The launchpad is specifically built keeping in mind the ability to support liquid stage controlled launches. It will also cater to the needs of ISRO’s range operations team to monitor key flight safety parameters during launches.
Also, the launchpad could share data and other critical information with ISRO’s Mission Control Center.
Agnikul Cosmos
Agnikul is a startup which has been created by some youths together. Many veteran industrialists have invested in it. In which the biggest name is Anand Mahindra. Anand Mahindra has invested Rs 80.43 crore for Agniban rocket. Apart from this, Pi Ventures, Special Invest and Earth Ventures have also invested.
AgniKul Cosmos was started in the year 2017. It was established in Chennai. It was started jointly by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM and Professor SR Chakraborty of IIT Madras. Agnikul is currently making a small private rocket Agnibaan. This launch vehicle is capable of installing satellites weighing up to 100 kg in the lower orbit of the earth. It gets plug-and-play engine configuration.
