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Here's a better article - https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/29/india-agnikul-3d-printed-rocket-launch/ https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/29/india-agnikul-3d-printed-r

Here's a better article - https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/29/india-agnikul-3d-printed-rocket-launch/ https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/29/india-agnikul-3d-printed-r... > There are only a few players in private space which print rocket engines, and our very own SpaceX was one of the first to pioneer this The US isn't the only country with a large private space sector. China and India have both been heavily investing in it since the mid-2010s, because a dynamic space sector also means having an indigenous capability to deploy spy-satellites and ballistic missiles. There's a reason why Maxar, SpaceX, etc all get outsized DoD funding. India's space sector is also getting a massive cash infusion from the UAE [0] and KSA [1], as they both begin their process of building domestic space capabilities due to worries of Iran. [0] - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spotlight/indian-space-mavericks-in-dubais-celestial-potential-enhancing-india-uae-space-cooperation/articleshow/104370206.cms https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spotlight/indian-space-m... [1] - https://www.zawya.com/en/business/technology-and-telecom/saudi-arabia-and-india-will-launch-special-space-program-al-falih-mveu8zdh https://www.zawya.com/en/business/technology-and-telecom/sau...

aamoyg 2y ago
"The 6.2-meter-tall vehicle is made of carbon composite, which gives it a liftoff mass of 1,268 lb; at its heart is the 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine that Agnikul manufactured in-house, each of which provides 6.2 kN of thrust." This is like they clubbed together processes which Russia seems to use for manufacturing of some of its Novator cruise missiles. That technology must have transferred over somehow and they are just adapting it for space. It's great they adapted a military technology for something else (though I expect it will stay military), but it's nothing novel.
- alephnerd 2y ago
  > That technology must have transferred over somehow Nope. Russia and Israel attempted that for India in the 1990s but were threatened by US sanctions for breaking MCTR. Idk why you're so surprised that these kinds of domestic capabilities exist in India now. India is fairly poor, but R&D capabilities have been strong, and there is an actual reverse brain drain going on from the US now that GC backlogs are multi-decade in length. > it's nothing novel It's a significant incremental development, as it drastically reduces the upfront cost for ballistic missiles or sub-orbital launches (eg. satellites), because you can manufacture much more faster. Plus, it is actually indigenous, which is a significant change.
  - boringg 2y ago
    I don't think people are moving back to India for jobs last time I checked if thats what your implying with your reverse brain drain comment.
    - aamoyg 2y ago
      I mean, people move back to be close to their family, for jobs, for startup capital, cost of living, and even for the politics. There is a former coworker who flew back to vote in the election and even have some kind of celebration because some kind of Communist government got voted out of his province.
      - boringg 2y ago
        I agree there are many different reasons to move. I would really call out people who are saying that Indian talent is leaving the US and/or Canada because from my viewpoint we have a very significant amount of Indians leaving India and coming here. It's much more the exception to the rule of Indians leaving North America and going back to India.
    - alephnerd 2y ago
      Where do those laid off Indian H1B and EB1/2 move? The reverse drain has started already for several years now (around 2021-22). Indians will still come to the US, do a BS masters, and then work in an American company for a couple years, but they inevitably face a 134 year backlog for naturalization. You can either live in the US as an indentured servant for a company, and end up getting kicked out if you get laid off and can't find another employer. Or you can upskill as much as you can in the US, and then leave once you have a strong enough professional network.
      - nbadg 2y ago
        Canada is much more immigration-friendly than the US. It also has a program to green-light and fast-track immigration for all H1B holders in the US, though for calendar year 2024 the cap of 10k visas has already been reached. But my understanding is that there's a pretty significant population of skilled workers that were planning on settling in the US permanently (or semi-permanently), and have instead relocated to Canada because of immigration difficulties related to the greencard backlog. Europe is also an option, though it's not as pro-immigration as Canada (and has lower salaries as well).

aamoyg 2y ago

"The 6.2-meter-tall vehicle is made of carbon composite, which gives it a liftoff mass of 1,268 lb; at its heart is the 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine that Agnikul manufactured in-house, each of which provides 6.2 kN of thrust." This is like they clubbed together processes which Russia seems to use for manufacturing of some of its Novator cruise missiles. That technology must have transferred over somehow and they are just adapting it for space. It's great they adapted a military technology for something else (though I expect it will stay military), but it's nothing novel.

alephnerd 2y ago
> That technology must have transferred over somehow Nope. Russia and Israel attempted that for India in the 1990s but were threatened by US sanctions for breaking MCTR. Idk why you're so surprised that these kinds of domestic capabilities exist in India now. India is fairly poor, but R&D capabilities have been strong, and there is an actual reverse brain drain going on from the US now that GC backlogs are multi-decade in length. > it's nothing novel It's a significant incremental development, as it drastically reduces the upfront cost for ballistic missiles or sub-orbital launches (eg. satellites), because you can manufacture much more faster. Plus, it is actually indigenous, which is a significant change.
- boringg 2y ago
  I don't think people are moving back to India for jobs last time I checked if thats what your implying with your reverse brain drain comment.
  - aamoyg 2y ago
    I mean, people move back to be close to their family, for jobs, for startup capital, cost of living, and even for the politics. There is a former coworker who flew back to vote in the election and even have some kind of celebration because some kind of Communist government got voted out of his province.
    - boringg 2y ago
      I agree there are many different reasons to move. I would really call out people who are saying that Indian talent is leaving the US and/or Canada because from my viewpoint we have a very significant amount of Indians leaving India and coming here. It's much more the exception to the rule of Indians leaving North America and going back to India.
  - alephnerd 2y ago
    Where do those laid off Indian H1B and EB1/2 move? The reverse drain has started already for several years now (around 2021-22). Indians will still come to the US, do a BS masters, and then work in an American company for a couple years, but they inevitably face a 134 year backlog for naturalization. You can either live in the US as an indentured servant for a company, and end up getting kicked out if you get laid off and can't find another employer. Or you can upskill as much as you can in the US, and then leave once you have a strong enough professional network.
    - nbadg 2y ago
      Canada is much more immigration-friendly than the US. It also has a program to green-light and fast-track immigration for all H1B holders in the US, though for calendar year 2024 the cap of 10k visas has already been reached. But my understanding is that there's a pretty significant population of skilled workers that were planning on settling in the US permanently (or semi-permanently), and have instead relocated to Canada because of immigration difficulties related to the greencard backlog. Europe is also an option, though it's not as pro-immigration as Canada (and has lower salaries as well).