Private launch firm Agnikul Cosmos announced Wednesday it will attempt to launch an orbital rocket and recover its booster on Indian soil, marking India’s first such effort. The Chennai-based startup’s plan follows China’s recent recovery of an orbital-class booster, ending the prior U.S. monopoly on the technology. Former Isro chairman Somanath S has joined the company’s board as an observer for the mission, called Mission 02. Agnikul develops the Agnibaan series of small-lift vehicles powered by a single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine. The firm aims to place satellites in orbit, recover the booster, and demonstrate upper-stage extension, none previously achieved at this scale domestically. These steps mark India’s initial push into rocket reusability, a capability that has lowered global launch costs. Mission 02 will use a two-stage Agnibaan vehicle. After separation the booster will attempt a controlled descent and ocean recovery while the upper stage converts into an orbital platform. Agnikul holds patents on this architecture in India, the U.S., and Europe. SpaceX has flown Falcon 9 boosters more than 650 times, with some completing 35 missions. Blue Origin’s New Glenn and Rocket Lab’s Neutron are also entering the reusable market. India has relied on Isro’s PSLV for launches. Mission 02 will depart from a private pad using an engine manufactured in one week. Somanath has overseen projects including LVM3, SSLV, RLV, Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-3, and Aditya-L1. COO Moin SPM noted the precision required across propulsion, guidance, and avionics. Last month Agnikul signed deals with Finland’s ICEYE and France’s Safran, part of partnerships valued near $100 million. In May the company completed Mission 01, a suborbital flight from Sriharikota. Investors include TIDCO, Anand Mahindra, and institutions.
