India has taken a giant leap in affordable space technology. Agnikul Cosmos, a Chennai-based startup, successfully launched its Agnibaan SOrTeD rocket—powered by the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine. This innovation isn't just a technical milestone—it signals a new era of low-cost, high-impact aerospace development. Designed and built entirely in-house, the engine simplifies manufacturing and increases reliability by eliminating joints and welds.

This achievement also highlights India’s growing influence in the global private space sector. As nations race to commercialize space, Agnikul's model could enable smaller countries and private players to enter orbit without billion-dollar budgets. Backed by support from ISRO and IIT Madras, the startup has demonstrated that with the right mix of talent and technology, space access can be democratized—even from a university lab in Chennai.

#Agnikul #IndiaSpaceTech #3DPrintedRocket #SpaceInnovation #AffordableAerospace #ISRO #StartupIndia #TechRevolution

Honda R&D Co., Ltd., the research division of Honda, successfully launched and vertically landed a prototype reusable rocket at its testing site in Taiki, Hokkaido, Japan.

The test vehicle stood 6.3 meters tall, weighed about 1.3 metric tons, and reached a height of 271 meters (890 feet). Most impressively, it achieved a precision landing within 37 centimeters of the designated pad after hovering for over 56 seconds.

This test was part of Honda’s long-term vision to develop low-cost, small-scale reusable launch systems that can support satellite deployment and suborbital missions.

By 2029, Honda aims to develop a rocket capable of reaching suborbital space (~100 km altitude), marking a serious entry into the private aerospace sector.

While Honda has not announced any immediate commercial plans, the test marks a significant milestone. It positions the company alongside global players like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and ISRO, showcasing the potential of traditional automakers to expand into space technology.

The successful test also underscores Honda’s ability to integrate its automotive expertise—particularly in control systems and fuel efficiency—into space applications.

India is going electric—in space.
ISRO has just completed a 1,000-hour test of its 300mN Stationary Plasma Thruster, running at full power with xenon gas. The result? A propulsion system that's 6× more efficient than traditional chemical rockets.

This marks a major leap toward lighter, longer-lasting, and smarter satellites—all leading up to ISRO’s TDS-01 electric mission. With plasma power, India’s next-gen space missions just got a serious upgrade.

The future of flight isn’t fire… it’s plasma.

Here’s what this means for global space tech:


#ISRO #PlasmaThruster #ElectricPropulsion #SpaceInnovation #IndiaInSpace #FutureOfSatellites #MechanicTimes

India has taken a giant leap in affordable space technology. Agnikul Cosmos, a Chennai-based startup, successfully launched its Agnibaan SOrTeD rocket—powered by the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine. This innovation isn't just a technical milestone—it signals a new era of low-cost, high-impact aerospace development. Designed and built entirely in-house, the engine simplifies manufacturing and increases reliability by eliminating joints and welds.

This achievement also highlights India’s growing influence in the global private space sector. As nations race to commercialize space, Agnikul's model could enable smaller countries and private players to enter orbit without billion-dollar budgets. Backed by support from ISRO and IIT Madras, the startup has demonstrated that with the right mix of talent and technology, space access can be democratized—even from a university lab in Chennai.

#Agnikul #IndiaSpaceTech #3DPrintedRocket #SpaceInnovation #AffordableAerospace #ISRO #StartupIndia #TechRevolution