The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has signed an agreement with spacetech startup Agnikul Cosmos to provide ₹200 crore in financial support.
Structured through optionally convertible debentures under the government’s Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, the project aims to accelerate the development of a fully reusable launch vehicle—the Agnibaan RLV.
The key objective is to advance the Agnibaan RLV from Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL-4)—a lab-validated prototype—to TRL-8, rendering it a flight-proven, commercially operational launch system.
Unlike traditional platforms that recover only the primary stage booster, Agnikul’s RLV program targets full-system reusability. The architecture integrates a lightweight upper stage with a semi-cryogenic liquid propulsion system featuring deep-throttling and restart capabilities for precise orbital insertion, controlled descent, and recovery.
By transitioning toward full reusability and repeatable flights, the project seeks to significantly lower manufacturing costs and curb space debris. TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak highlighted reusability as a vital technological frontier, reinforcing India’s commitment to backing indigenous deep-tech innovation.
News as Reported.
