India Successfully Launches Its First Privately Built Rocket; Here are 10 Facts About Vikram-S

India has successfully launched Vikram-S, its first privately developed rocket today from the spaceport in Sriharikota, about 115 kilometers from Chennai.

Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh congratulated the team on the successful launch of the Vikram-S Prarambh Skyroot Mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota. 

Some facts about Vikram-S and its launch

• The launch of the rocket would signify the entry of the private sector into the nation's space industry. The rocket was developed by four-year-old firm Skyroot Aerospace. In 2020, the Center allowed private players access to the space industry.

• The mission, called "Prarambh" (the beginning), would transport three payloads created by the Armenian BazoomQ Space Research Lab, Chennai-based Space Kids, and Andhra Pradesh-based N Space Tech India, according to a statement from Skyroot Aerospace.

• After launch, Vikram-S will ascend to an altitude of 81 kilometers before crashing down in less than five minutes. The launch vehicle is named after Vikram Sarabhai, who founded India's space program.

• According to media reports, the rocket is one of the first few all-composite rockets in the world with solid 3-D printed thrusters for spin stability of the launch vehicle.

• In the Vikram series of avionics, such as telemetry, the Global Positioning System, onboard cameras, data acquisition, and power systems, flight proving is expected to be demonstrated by the rocket launch.

• Up to this point, 526 crores have been raised for Skyroot Aerospace. The company is working toward a future when "space becomes part of us" and intends to "open space for all."

• Pawan K. Goenka, the chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Center (IN-SPACE), described this as a "major milestone" and noted that 150 private players have already submitted applications to participate in the launch vehicle, satellite, payload, and ground station markets.

• When asked whether private players will carry out public interest missions or only focus on business interests. Dr. Goenka said, "Projects of commercial interest too are in the public interest and of course, they would always have a commercial angle."

• The project would reportedly be launched from the propulsion facility where ISRO employed sounding rockets. This small rocket will be deployed tomorrow in place of the large ones, an official informed PTI. "This center, where sounding rockets were used by ISRO, will be used," the official said.

• The payloads will be launched into an orbit with a low inclination of roughly 500 kilometers by the Vikram-S launch vehicle. According to the company, the technology architecture of the Vikram launch vehicle offers special capabilities like multi-orbit insertion and interplanetary missions, as well as customized, dedicated, and ride-share options, to meet a variety of small satellite customers' needs.