Indian space startup fires world’s first fully 3D printed rocket engine as others play catch up
Indian space startup fires world’s first fully 3D printed rocket engine as others play catch up
Prabhjote GillFeb 9, 2021, 12:44 IST
Agnikul Cosmos successfully test fires the world s first fully 3D printed rocket engineAgnikul Cosmos/BI India
Indian space startup Agnikul Cosmos has become the world’s first company to successfully test a fully 3D printed
rocket engine.
It only takes four days to produce and can carry payloads of upto 100 kilos into lower earth orbit (LEO).
While the first company to be successful in such an endeavour, there are others who are fast catching up and realise the value of 3D printed engines versus conventional assembly.Rocket engines are tough to build, and they’re even tougher to 3D print because all the details have to be ‘just right’ for the rocket to work successfully. But, an Indian space startup based out of Chennai has pulled off this
FAIRFIELD-SUISUN, CALIFORNIA
Firehawk Aerospace wants to 3-D print rocket fuel and is moving to Dallas to join the space race [The Dallas Morning News ]
Rocket engine startup Firehawk Aerospace is moving to Dallas to grow its 3-D printed rocket fuel concept and join the space race as Texas becomes a growing hub in the commercial rocket world.
Firehawk is looking for space for its primary research facility in the Dallas-Fort Worth area after getting $1.2 million in investment funding from local startup fund Harlow Capital Management and CEO Colby Harlow.
The company is moving from Florida’s Space Coast, where Kennedy Space Center has long been a magnet for commercial space research.
The big story: Robinhood raises $1B
I know the newsletter has been dominated by Robinhood and stock market news for the past few days but, well, so have the headlines.
The latest news is that after reportedly tapping its credit lines, Robinhood raised $1 billion in new funding from existing investors. It seems the company needed the money in order to meet regulatory minimums and other requirements tied to users’ trading activity.
Meanwhile, the SEC has issued a statement that doesn’t specifically mention Robinhood or GameStop by name, but it says that “extreme stock price volatility has the potential to expose investors to rapid and severe losses” that could “undermine market confidence.”
Firehawk Aerospace extends seed funding to $2.5 million with $1.2 million from Harlow Capital TechCrunch 1/29/2021 Darrell Etherington
Rocket fuel technology startup Firehawk Aerospace has added $1.2 million to its existing seed financing, bringing the full amount invested in the round to $2.5 million. The new tranche comes from Harlow Capital Management, a Dallas-based firm run by Colby Harlow, who will join Firehawk s Board of Directors as part of the deal.
Firewhawk, which was a finalist in our first-ever all-virtual Startup Battlefield at TC Disrupt last September, has developed a new kind of hybrid rocket fuel that greatly enhances rocket launch safety, cost and transportation using additive manufacturing (basically, the grown-up version of 3D printing). Hybrid rocket fuel (which combines aspects of both liquid and solid propellants used previously) isn t new, but past technology has been unable to compete on cost and efficacy relative to existing non-hyb
What to expect tomorrow at TC Sessions: Space 2020
Ready to explore an incredible range of space technology from the comfort of your own home or office? TC Sessions: Space 2020 starts tomorrow, December 16, and we’re here to point out just some of the events, presentations and fireside chats waiting for you on day one.
You’ll hear from and engage with the world’s top space experts, founders, scientists, engineers and investors across public, private and defense sectors. You’ll learn where and how to access the funds to fuel your dreams and launch your startup.
Note: Expo Ticket holders can only access the exhibition area and the breakout sessions (both live stream and VOD). Want to upgrade your pass to access all the main-stage presentations? Shoot us an email at events@techcrunch.com for assistance.