Agnikul Fires Four 3D-Printed Semi-Cryo Engines in First Synchronized Cluster Test

Overview

• The Chennai startup fired four semi‑cryogenic engines in sync Tuesday, in what the company called India’s first clustered test of this kind.
• Each engine was built as a single piece using in‑house 3D printing at the Agnikul Rocket Factory in IIT Madras Research Park.
• The cluster used electric motor‑driven pumps, and engineers aligned eight pumps, eight motors and eight speed‑control programs so all engines started, held steady and shut down together.
• Agnikul says the results now feed longer hot fires and full‑stage trials, with a launch attempt targeted before year‑end once approvals and mission planning are set.
• Agnibaan’s modular plan lets missions add or remove engines per payload, with future setups the company has discussed reaching seven or even 14 engines to lower cost for small‑satellite customers.