From design to launch, Angikul women heads share insights

BENGALURU: After multiple scrubbed attempts, Agnikul Cosmos finally achieved a successful suborbital launch — ‘Agnibaan – Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD)’ mission — marking a significant milestone not just for it but also for the Indian private space sector.
Saraniya Periaswamy, Vehicle Director, who led the development of the 3D-printed engine and the launch vehicle and Umamaheswari K, Project Director, who orchestrated the project from concept to liftoff, spoke with TOI about the mission.
“It was a very special mission for the team itself,” they said, acknowledging the arduous journey from the project’s inception two years ago. Designing, building, and transporting the suborbital vehicle derived from their orbital launch vehicle design was no easy feat.
Overcoming setbacks was a true test of the team’s resilience. Saraniya recounted: “We almost had four aborts before we actually did this successful launch. Yet, the determination to try again after each scrub was unwavering. Everyone was ready…no one said we quit.”
Umamaheswari said the launch was an “overwhelming moment” that brought a profound sense of responsibility alongside joy. “It validated simulations, software systems, and structural designs meticulously developed by our team,” she said.
Notably, the mission served as a proving ground for Agnikul’s semi-cryogenic engine technology – a critical component of their orbital ambitions. The women elaborated on the challenges of handling cryogenic propellants like liquid oxygen, stating, “Cryogenic handling is a challenge in itself. But collaborating with advisors and leveraging expertise from international partners helped the team navigate this complex domain.”
As reported by TOI earlier, Agnikul has plans for an orbital mission towards the end of the financial year 2024-25 and regular customer flights starting from 2025. Both Saraniya and Umamaheswari will play a crucial role in this.