Agnikul Cosmos, a Chennai-based space technology startup, has successfully conducted a hot-fire test of Agnite, recognised as the world’s largest single-piece 3D-printed rocket booster engine.

The Agnite engine, fabricated entirely from Inconel as one seamless component without welds, joints or fasteners, powers the booster stage of the company’s Agnibaan orbital launch vehicle.

Measuring one metre in length, it employs an electric motor-driven pump-fed semi-cryogenic architecture.

The test was performed at Agnikul’s in-house Large Format Additive Manufacturing facility located at the IIT Madras Research Park.

According to the company, the full end-to-end propulsion cycle was completed successfully during the test.

A key advantage of the Agnite engine is its manufacturing efficiency.

The entire engine can be 3D-printed, depowdered and post-processed in approximately seven days, significantly faster and more cost-effective than conventional manufacturing methods, which typically require several months.

Founded in 2018 by IIT Madras alums, Agnikul Cosmos is among India’s leading private space companies.

The successful Agnite test represents an important step toward the firm’s objective of providing dedicated, on-demand launch services for small satellites.

The development underscores the growing capabilities of India’s private space industry under the government’s liberalised space policy framework.

Agnikul has indicated that the next phase will involve full-stage hot-fire tests, with the maiden orbital flight of the Agnibaan vehicle targeted for later this year or early 2027.