India to launch its First Private Rocket

India's first privately developed rocket “Vikram-S” is set for launch.

Details:

• The maiden mission of Skyroot Aerospace, 'Prarambh', will be launched from ISRO's launchpad at Sriharikota.
• Collaborative support of ISRO and IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) has made this mission ready in a short span of time.

Vikram-S rocket:

• It is a single-stage sub-orbital launch vehicle.
• It will be carrying three customer payloads and help test and validate the majority of the technologies in the Vikram series of space launch vehicles.
• Skyroot's launch vehicles are named 'Vikram' as a tribute to the founder of the Indian space programme and renowned scientist Vikram Sarabhai.

Significance:

• Skyroot Aerospace is set to become the first private space company in India to launch a rocket into space.
• It will herald a new era for the space sector which was opened up in 2020 to facilitate private sector participation.

Private Players in Space Sector:

• Research and Development Activities: It will allow ISRO to focus more on new technologies, exploration missions, and human spaceflight programmes.
• Fruitful Dissemination of Space Technologies: Allowing industries and others like students, researchers, or academic bodies greater access to space assets would lead to much better utilization of India's space resources.
• Global Technology Powerhouse: It will enable Indian Industry to be an important player in the global space economy.
• Cost-effective: The operating costs of setting up a base and launching space vehicles in India are comparatively much less than their counterparts like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Government’s Initiatives:

• New Space India Limited (NSIL): Announced in Budget 2019, it aims to use research and development carried out by ISRO over the years for commercial purposes through Indian industry partners
• IN-SPACE:
• IN-SPACe was launched to provide a level playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure.
• It acts as a single-point interface between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and everyone who wants to participate in space-related activities or use India’s space resources.
• Indian Space Association (ISpA): ISpA aspires to be the collective voice of the Indian Space industry. ISpA will be represented by leading domestic and global corporations that have advanced capabilities in space and satellite technologies.