India’s first privately built launchpad inaugurated

30 Nov 2022 CW Team

Start-up in space technology Agnikul has built India's first launchpad designed and operated by a private company. On November 25, ISRO chairman S Somanath inaugurated the facility in Sriharikota.

The facility, designed by Agnikul and built with the help of Isro and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), is divided into two sections: the Agnikul launchpad (ALP) and the Agnikul mission shopping mode control centre (AMCC).

Critical systems connecting these two sections, which are 4 kilometres apart, are redundant to ensure 100% operationality during the countdown. The launchpad was designed with the ability to support liquid stage controlled launches in mind, while also addressing the need for Isro's range operations team to monitor key flight safety parameters during launches, according to Agnikul in a statement. It also has the capability of sharing data and other critical information with ISRO's mission shoppingmode control centre as needed.

This launchpad will be used for Agnikul's first launch, which will be a controlled and guided mission with a vertical launch using its patented engine. The mission would be a technology demonstration, similar to Agnikul's orbital launch but on a smaller scale.

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