Suborbital Tech Demonstrator (SorTeD)

Context- Space technology startup Agnikul Cosmos recently announced that it has developed a rocket for a planned suborbital space flight.

Key Highlights 

• The successful flight makes Agnikul the second Indian aerospace company  after Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace to launch a vehicle into space. 
• The November 2022 launch of Skyroot’s 545 kg Vikram-S rocket  marked the launch of India’s private space industry.  

What is the space vehicle of Agnikul? 

•  It is a Suborbital Tech Demonstrator (SorTeD) single-stage launch vehicle called Agnibaan, powered by the company’s proprietary Agnilet engine. 
• Agnibaan SorTeD takes off vertically and follows a predetermined trajectory.
• It can carry a payload of up to 100 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO) to a distance of up to 700 km. 

What sort of engine does Agnikul have?  

• The Agnilet engine is a fully 3D-printed, one-piece, 6 kN semi-cryogenic engine. 
• In 2021, Skyroot successfully launched the country’s first privately developed cryogenic engine, the Dhawan-1, which  was also fully 3D printed using superalloy in a process that reduced production time by 95 percent.
• The Agnilet engine uses room temperature liquid kerosene  and supercooled liquid oxygen as propellants. 

Current Status of Indian Space Sector 

• India’s space industry accounted for just under 3% of the fast-growing global space economy, which was already worth at least $360 billion.  
• Indian industry cannot compete globally because its role has traditionally been to supply components and sub-systems. 
• Indian industry did not have the resources or  technology to undertake the kind of independent space projects  that companies like SpaceX did in the US. 
• Even in India, ISRO could not keep pace with the growing demand for space-based applications and services. 
• Therefore, in June 2020, the government approved the establishment of the Indian National Center for Space Promotion and Licensing (IN-SPACe) to ensure greater participation of the private sector in Indian space activities and revitalize the sector. 

What are the benefits of privatization of ISRO? 

• The private participation will free up ISRO to focus on science, R&D, interplanetary exploration and strategic launches. 
• Too many of ISRO’s resources are currently consumed by routine activities that delay its more strategic goals. 
• Commercial Advantages: It does not make sense for ISRO to launch weather or communication satellites alone. 
  • More and more private entrepreneurs are taking over this activity for commercial interests. 
• ISRO Revenue: ISRO can earn  money by providing facilities and data  to private players.  
• It is not that private players have siphoned off the revenue that ISRO receives from commercial launches. 
• “Explosive growth” of the space economy is expected  in the coming years, and there would be  enough for everyone.

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