Vikram-S, India’s first privately developed rocket, successfully lifted off from the spaceport in Sriharikota, about 115 kms from Chennai, today, marking the foray of the private sector into the country’s space industry, dominated by state-run ISRO for decades.
“Mission Prarambh is successfully accomplished. Congratulations” ISRO announced on Twitter.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who was at Sriharikota to witness the historic launch, said that the rocket launch was a turning point for Indian startups.
VIDEO: Congratulations India! A historic landmark under PM @narendramodi !
A turning point for Indian #StartUps! A new beginning for #ISRO!
First ever private Rocket “Vikram-S” is in Space.#OpeningSpaceForAllpic.twitter.com/Los0kfjF0x– Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) November 18, 2022
The ‘Prarambh’ mission (the beginning) and the Vikram-S rocket have been developed by Skyroot Aerospace, a start-up based in Hyderabad, with support from ISRO and IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre).
The rocket carried three payloads built by Andhra Pradesh-based N Space Tech India, Chennai-based startup Space Kids and Armenian BazoomQ Space Research Lab.
“We made history today by launching India’s first private rocket. It is a symbol of new India, and just the Prarambh of a great future.” Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-Founder Skyroot Aerospace, said.
Launched! Vikram-S makes history as the first private rocket of India to grace the skies. We thank you all for being with us for this momentous occasion. More details of flight to follow. Keep watching https://t.co/p2DOuRFiIA#Prarambh#OpeningSpaceForAllpic.twitter.com/jm4u6mJhsL
– Skyroot Aerospace (@SkyrootA) November 18, 2022
Vikram-S soared to an altitude of 89.5 km after its launch and met all the parameters, it said attaching a YouTube link of the flight.
Developed by over 200 engineers within a record time of two years, Vikram-S is powered by solid fuelled propulsion, cutting-edge avionics and a carbon fibre core structure.
The rocket launch will help test and validate the majority of the technologies in the Vikram series of orbital class space launch vehicles, including many sub-systems and technologies that will be tested across the pre-lift off and post-lift off phases of the launch, according to Skyroot Aerospace.
The six-metre tall rocket is one of the world’s first few all-composite rockets that has 3D-printed solid thrusters for its spin stability.
With a body mass of 545 kgs, length of 6m, and diameter of 0.375 meters, Vikram-S is the quickest and most affordable ride to space.
