Vikram-S : Skyroot Aerospace made history on Friday when it launched India’s first privately built rocket, Vikram-S, into space. The successful launch marks the private sector’s entry into India’s space program, which has previously been controlled and funded by the government.
The Vikram-S rocket took off from the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre’s sounding rocket complex in Sriharikota. The rocket carried three customer payloads into space and reached an altitude of more than 90 kilometers.
According to the company, the Vikram-S rocket reached a peak altitude of 89.9 kilometers while traveling at a speed of Mach 5. This is five times the speed of sound. The launch vehicles met all mission parameters. It cleared the way for the company to launch the Vikram-I rocket next year.
While Pawan Kumar Chandanam Co-Founder, Skyroot Aerospace, was a demonstration mission, it was still a full-scale suborbital launch for the company, with the goal of strengthening the private space sector. The mission validated the Vikram rocket’s technology, engine, and designs, demonstrating that it can launch heavy payloads into Low Earth Orbit.
The Vikram rocket (Vikram-S) is named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of the Indian space program. The company is working on three different versions of it. The Vikram-I can carry 480 kilograms of payload to LEO, whereas the Vikram-II can carry 595 kilograms. Meanwhile, Vikram-III can launch a payload into a 500 km Low Inclination Orbit with an 815 kg payload.
The mission marks the bold entry of the private sector into India’s space program. Vikram-S follows in the footsteps of the United States, Europe, and China. Skyroot developed the rocket. But Isro provided expertise and testing facilities to put the systems and technological developments to the test.
Vikram-S Attracting Customers
The development demonstrates that the private sector is capable of not only developing and designing these launch vehicles but also of attracting customers and investments into a sector that has previously been heavily reliant on government funds. India recently announced the opening of its space sector to private companies, demonstrating that the system is functional.
Meanwhile, PM Naremader Modi congratulated for Vikram-S launch. Isro and InSpace have been collaborating with private companies to provide expertise and technical know-how about rocket system systems and complex designs. Rocket includes two Indian and one foreign customer’s payloads.
SpaceKidz of Chennai, N-SpaceTech of Andhra Pradesh, and Armenian BazoomQ Space Research Lab were among the payloads. Spacekidz, a Chennai-based aerospace startup, flew a 2.5 kg payload developed by students from India. United States, Singapore, and Indonesia onboard Vikram-S on a suborbital flight.
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