Vikram-S, India’s first private rocket, lifts off from ISRO spaceport

Published
19th Nov, 2022

Context

In a historic moment Vikram-S, India’s first privately-developed rocket, lifted off from the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) launchpad in Sriharikota, under the ‘Prarambh’ Mission.

About

About Vikram-S Rocket:

It is a single-stage suborbital launch vehicle
It is India’s first privately developed rocket.
It is named after Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of India’s space programme.
It is developed by Skyroot Aerospace with support from ISRO and IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion &Authorization Centre.
The Vikram-S rocket is a single-stage sub-orbital launch vehicle.
- It will carry three customer payloads and help test and validate technologies in the Vikram series space launch vehicles.
- Its engine was developed using 3D printing with a superalloy.
- The engine used in the launch vehicle is named after former president Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, ‘Kalam-80’.
The company is designing three Vikram rockets that will use various solid and cryogenic fuels to carry between 290 kg and 560 kg payloads to sun-synchronous polar orbits.
- Vikram-I can carry 480 kilograms of payload to Low Earth Orbit. It will be powered by a Kalam-100 rocket.
- Vikram-II is equipped to lift off with 595 kilograms of cargo.
- Vikram-III can launch with an 815 kg to 500 km Low Inclination Orbit.

About Skyroot

The company is based in Hyderabad.
It builds state-of-the-art space launch vehicles for launching commercial satellites into space.
It aims to disrupt entry barriers to cost-efficient satellite launch services and spaceflight by advancing its mission to make space flights affordable, reliable, and regular for all.

Prarambh Mission:

The Prarambh mission is aimed at carrying three payloads into space, including a 2.5-kilogram payload that has been developed by students from several countries.
The Prarambh mission and the Vikram-S rocket were developed by the Hyderabad-based startup with extensive support from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre).

Significance of privatization of the space sector

Low costs: It has allowed companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, etc. to cut their costs substantially and perform operations at reduced costs.
Creating widespread interest: The publicity of their operations, like live streaming launches, has sparked widespread interest in space exploration among the general public.
Quick decision-making: There is quick decision-making in private companies while the same process in a public enterprise would have to pass through several stages.
Higher autonomy: private companies have a greater degree of autonomy in making decisions, which enables them to take up new projects.

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