Former Indian Space Research Organisation chairman Dr S Somanath has joined Chennai-based private space start-up Agnikul Cosmos as an observer on its board of directors, strengthening the company’s leadership as it prepares for its technologically ambitious Mission 02.
The appointment brings one of India’s most experienced space technologists into Agnikul’s strategic discussions at a crucial stage in the company’s development.
Mission 02 is expected to attempt the controlled recovery of an orbital-class rocket booster while also demonstrating an upper stage that can continue operating in orbit as a functional platform after deploying its payload.
Somanath headed ISRO from January 2022 to January 2025 and is currently listed by the space agency as a Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor. His tenure included major missions such as Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1.

Key Highlights

Former ISRO chairman S Somanath joins Agnikul Cosmos as a board observer.
He will support the company as it prepares for Mission 02.
The mission will use a two-stage configuration of Agnikul’s Agnibaan launch vehicle.
The first-stage booster will attempt a controlled descent and ocean recovery.
The upper stage is designed to remain operational in orbit instead of being discarded immediately.
Agnikul is developing indigenous semi-cryogenic propulsion and 3D-printed rocket engines.
A successful booster recovery attempt could mark an important milestone for India’s private space industry.

What Role Will S Somanath Play at Agnikul?

Somanath has joined Agnikul as an observer on its board of directors. A board observer generally participates in discussions and provides strategic or technical inputs but may not possess the same voting rights as a formally appointed director.
Agnikul has indicated that the association will be a serious working relationship rather than a ceremonial appointment. His experience in launch-vehicle design, propulsion, stage separation, spacecraft operations and large-scale mission management is expected to help the company assess the technical and operational risks associated with its next flight.
His appointment may also help Agnikul strengthen engineering governance as it moves from experimental technology demonstrations towards more complex orbital missions.

Dr S Somanath served as chairman of ISRO, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Space Commission between January 2022 and January 2025. His professional career has spanned nearly four decades, with extensive work in launch vehicles, propulsion, structural design and space-system engineering.
Before becoming ISRO chairman, he served as director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
During his leadership, ISRO completed several high-profile missions, including:

Agnikul Cosmos is a Chennai-based private aerospace company developing orbital-class launch vehicles for small satellites. Its primary launch vehicle is Agnibaan, a configurable rocket designed to serve different payload and orbital requirements.
The company operates from the IIT Madras Research Park ecosystem and specialises in semi-cryogenic propulsion, additive manufacturing and customisable launch systems. Its rockets use engines manufactured through advanced 3D-printing processes.
Agnikul gained national attention with the launch of its Agnibaan SOrTeD technology demonstrator in May 2024. The mission demonstrated several privately developed launch technologies and strengthened the company’s position in India’s growing commercial space ecosystem.

Former ISRO chairman S Somanath’s decision to join Agnikul Cosmos as a board observer represents a major addition to the start-up’s technical leadership.
His appointment comes as Agnikul prepares Mission 02, an ambitious flight intended to demonstrate controlled booster recovery and conversion of an upper stage into an operational orbital platform.
The mission remains technically challenging, and its outcomes will depend on successful ground qualification and flight execution. Nevertheless, it reflects the growing confidence and technological ambition of India’s private space sector.
By combining ISRO-era expertise, indigenous semi-cryogenic propulsion, 3D-printed engines and reusable-launch concepts, Agnikul is attempting to build capabilities that could shape the next phase of India’s commercial space journey.