News Analysis India

Tag: Vikram-S

  • Vikram-S marks start of private venture in Indian space programme with maiden success

    By PTI

    SRIHARIKOTA: India on Friday successfully placed three satellites into an orbit on a rocket completely developed by a four year- old startup, marking the entry of the private sector into the country’s space activities, currently dominated by the state-run behemoth ISRO.

    Skyroot Aerospace-designed Vikram-S, named in a befitting tribute to the father of the country’s space programme Vikram Sarabhai, tasted success in its maiden mission.

    Skyroot Aerospace become the first privately held company in India after the space sector was opened for the private players by the Centre in 2020.

    “I am happy to announce the successful completion of Mission Prarambh, The Beginning, by Skyroot aerospace,” a smiling Pawan Goenka, Chairman of the country’s space regulator, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (INSPACe), said from ISRO’s Mission Control Center here.

    The rocket achieved an altitude of 89.5 km and a range of 121.2 km, “exactly what was planned by Skyroot Aerospace,” he said.

    It “worked as planned” and Skyroot Aerospace has demonstrated various capability of sub-systems that will go into the orbital launch vehicle, he added.

    The vehicle integrated into the launcher soared after lifting off at the prefixed 11.30 am from the sounding rocket complex at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), here, about 115 km from Chennai.

    The Mission unveiled by ISRO Chairman S Somanath has three payloads with two belonging to domestic customers and one from a foreign client.

    The 6-metre tall launch vehicle is one of the world’s first few all-composite rockets that has 3-D printed solid thrusters for spin stability of the launch vehicle.

    “This is a new beginning for the Indian private sector entering aerospace and a historic moment for all of us,” Goenka said.

    The three payloads riding piggyback on the rocket are from Chennai-based start-up SpaceKidz, Andhra Pradesh-based N-SpaceTech and Armenian BazoomQ Space Research Lab.

    Vikram-S launched the payloads in about 500 km low inclination orbit.

    The rocket later safely splashed into the sea, as part of the mission.

    Pawan Chandana, Skyroot Aerospace co-founder said all the required mission objectives were completed.

    “This Prarambh mission as the name signifies is the beginning of a new era in the Indian space ecosystem. Team Skyroot dedicates this successful mission to Dr Vikram Sarabhai, who boldly started the Indian space programme in the 1960s, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for unlocking the space sector to private players,” Chandana, also the Mission Director for Friday’s launch, said.

    “This Prarambh mission symbolises not only India’s first private rocket launch, it also symbolises the potential of new India,” he added.

    Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who witnessed the launch today accompanied, congratulated the nation and said it it is indeed a new beginning and a new dawn.

    “Shall I say very appropriately new Prarambh in the journey of India’s space programme and many thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has made this possible by opening space sector to private participation,” Singh, who holds the Department of Space portfolio among others, said.

    Earlier, in a departure from the routine, Friday’s mission was launched from the complex where sounding rockets were used by ISRO.

    SDSC has two launch complexes, each capable of providing complete support for vehicle assembly, check out and launch operations for any kind of missions — Low Earth Orbit, Geosynchronous transfer orbit.

    PSLVs and GSLVs are launched from here.

    Friday’s mission is considered to be a significant milestone for Skyroot Aerospace as it would help test and validate majority of the technologies in the Vikram series of orbital class space launch vehicles, including many sub-systems and technologies that would be tested before lift-off and post lift off phases of the launch.

    ‘Fun-Sat’, a 2.5 kg payload belonging to Chennai-based aerospace startup Spacekidz, has been developed by students from India, the United States, Singapore and Indonesia.

    The 545 kg Vikram launch vehicle consists of the Vikram II and Vikram III series.

    The technology architecture of the launch vehicle offers unique capabilities like multi-orbit insertion and interplanetary missions, while providing customised, dedicated and ride share options covering a wide spectrum of small satellite customer needs, Skyroot Aerospace said.

    The company added the rockets can be assembled and launched within 24 hours from any launch site.

    SRIHARIKOTA: India on Friday successfully placed three satellites into an orbit on a rocket completely developed by a four year- old startup, marking the entry of the private sector into the country’s space activities, currently dominated by the state-run behemoth ISRO.

    Skyroot Aerospace-designed Vikram-S, named in a befitting tribute to the father of the country’s space programme Vikram Sarabhai, tasted success in its maiden mission.

    Skyroot Aerospace become the first privately held company in India after the space sector was opened for the private players by the Centre in 2020.

    “I am happy to announce the successful completion of Mission Prarambh, The Beginning, by Skyroot aerospace,” a smiling Pawan Goenka, Chairman of the country’s space regulator, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (INSPACe), said from ISRO’s Mission Control Center here.

    The rocket achieved an altitude of 89.5 km and a range of 121.2 km, “exactly what was planned by Skyroot Aerospace,” he said.

    It “worked as planned” and Skyroot Aerospace has demonstrated various capability of sub-systems that will go into the orbital launch vehicle, he added.

    The vehicle integrated into the launcher soared after lifting off at the prefixed 11.30 am from the sounding rocket complex at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), here, about 115 km from Chennai.

    The Mission unveiled by ISRO Chairman S Somanath has three payloads with two belonging to domestic customers and one from a foreign client.

    The 6-metre tall launch vehicle is one of the world’s first few all-composite rockets that has 3-D printed solid thrusters for spin stability of the launch vehicle.

    “This is a new beginning for the Indian private sector entering aerospace and a historic moment for all of us,” Goenka said.

    The three payloads riding piggyback on the rocket are from Chennai-based start-up SpaceKidz, Andhra Pradesh-based N-SpaceTech and Armenian BazoomQ Space Research Lab.

    Vikram-S launched the payloads in about 500 km low inclination orbit.

    The rocket later safely splashed into the sea, as part of the mission.

    Pawan Chandana, Skyroot Aerospace co-founder said all the required mission objectives were completed.

    “This Prarambh mission as the name signifies is the beginning of a new era in the Indian space ecosystem. Team Skyroot dedicates this successful mission to Dr Vikram Sarabhai, who boldly started the Indian space programme in the 1960s, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for unlocking the space sector to private players,” Chandana, also the Mission Director for Friday’s launch, said.

    “This Prarambh mission symbolises not only India’s first private rocket launch, it also symbolises the potential of new India,” he added.

    Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who witnessed the launch today accompanied, congratulated the nation and said it it is indeed a new beginning and a new dawn.

    “Shall I say very appropriately new Prarambh in the journey of India’s space programme and many thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has made this possible by opening space sector to private participation,” Singh, who holds the Department of Space portfolio among others, said.

    Earlier, in a departure from the routine, Friday’s mission was launched from the complex where sounding rockets were used by ISRO.

    SDSC has two launch complexes, each capable of providing complete support for vehicle assembly, check out and launch operations for any kind of missions — Low Earth Orbit, Geosynchronous transfer orbit.

    PSLVs and GSLVs are launched from here.

    Friday’s mission is considered to be a significant milestone for Skyroot Aerospace as it would help test and validate majority of the technologies in the Vikram series of orbital class space launch vehicles, including many sub-systems and technologies that would be tested before lift-off and post lift off phases of the launch.

    ‘Fun-Sat’, a 2.5 kg payload belonging to Chennai-based aerospace startup Spacekidz, has been developed by students from India, the United States, Singapore and Indonesia.

    The 545 kg Vikram launch vehicle consists of the Vikram II and Vikram III series.

    The technology architecture of the launch vehicle offers unique capabilities like multi-orbit insertion and interplanetary missions, while providing customised, dedicated and ride share options covering a wide spectrum of small satellite customer needs, Skyroot Aerospace said.

    The company added the rockets can be assembled and launched within 24 hours from any launch site.

  • India’s first privately-built rocket Vikram-S all set for launch on Friday

    Express News Service

    BENGALURU: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Center (IN-SPACe) has authorised the first private sector launch of a launch vehicle. The launch vehicle, Vikram-S (VKS), developed by aerospace startup Skyroot Aerospace, will see its historic launch on November 18. It will be the first-ever launch of a privately developed and built rocket in India.

    “IN-SPACe has authorised the first private sector launch of a launch vehicle. We’re truly delighted to have authorised Skyroot’s maiden mission, which will enable India’s first-ever private launch of a launch vehicle. I hope the Vikram-S rocket marks the start of a new age in India’s private space domain. The seamless joint efforts of various ISRO centres, including SDSC SHAR, ISTRAC and VSSC, Skyroot team and IN-SPACe, have enabled the Skyroot VKS rocket to be launch-ready in a short period of time,” said Dr Pawan K Goenka, chairman, IN-SPACe.

    The VKS will be carrying three customer payloads on its voyage, as the maiden rocket under Skyroot’s launch mission ‘Prarambh’, which was launched earlier this month. The VKS is a sub-orbital single-stage solid fuelled rocket which has been in development for around 2 years. The rocket has been built using a number advanced technologies, including parts that have been 3D printed.

    It is all set for launch between 11 am and 12 noon on Friday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. As of now, the IN-SPACe authorisation is the fourth such authorisation to be given to any non-governmental entity for taking up space activities in India.

    BENGALURU: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Center (IN-SPACe) has authorised the first private sector launch of a launch vehicle. The launch vehicle, Vikram-S (VKS), developed by aerospace startup Skyroot Aerospace, will see its historic launch on November 18. It will be the first-ever launch of a privately developed and built rocket in India.

    “IN-SPACe has authorised the first private sector launch of a launch vehicle. We’re truly delighted to have authorised Skyroot’s maiden mission, which will enable India’s first-ever private launch of a launch vehicle. I hope the Vikram-S rocket marks the start of a new age in India’s private space domain. The seamless joint efforts of various ISRO centres, including SDSC SHAR, ISTRAC and VSSC, Skyroot team and IN-SPACe, have enabled the Skyroot VKS rocket to be launch-ready in a short period of time,” said Dr Pawan K Goenka, chairman, IN-SPACe.

    The VKS will be carrying three customer payloads on its voyage, as the maiden rocket under Skyroot’s launch mission ‘Prarambh’, which was launched earlier this month. The VKS is a sub-orbital single-stage solid fuelled rocket which has been in development for around 2 years. The rocket has been built using a number advanced technologies, including parts that have been 3D printed.

    It is all set for launch between 11 am and 12 noon on Friday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. As of now, the IN-SPACe authorisation is the fourth such authorisation to be given to any non-governmental entity for taking up space activities in India.

  • Vikram-S set to be launched on Nov 18

    Express News Service

    CHENNAI: After inclement weather played spoilsport and put off the Tuesday’s launch of ‘Vikram-S’, India’s first private rocket developed by Hyderabad-based space startup Skyroot Aerospace, excitement is again growing with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) giving a fresh launch date on November 18 at 11.30 am. 

    Although IMD said a fresh low pressure area will be forming in southeast of Bay of Bengal, the launch is likely to go ahead this time. Skyroot co-founder Pawan Chandana, who is camping in Sriharikota for the last 10 days said, “Our new launch window given by ISRO is between November 15 to 19. The only likely date is November 18. Since our vehicle is light-weight rocket and aerodynamically driven, wind speed plays a role. As of now, winds are within the limit and ‘Mission Prarambh’ is good to go.”

    Some of the members of Skyroot team are stationed in Sriharikota for a month now, conducting critical checks and interfacing the rocket with ISRO’s communication network. Pawan said, “We got the technical clearance from the IN-SPACe committee, which independently checked our vehicle readiness for the launch last week. The vehicle is healthy and passed all the critical checks. Coming Friday will be a big day for us considering the fact that it is our maiden mission, which is sort of experimental flight that would validate all the flight modules that will be use for future orbital missions.”The Vikram-S rocket, a single-stage sub-orbital vehicle, will carry payloads of two Indian and one foreign customers.

    One of the satellite that will be flown is ‘Fun-Sat’ developed by Spacekidz, a Chennai-based aerospace startup weighing 2.5 kg. If Skyroot accomplishes the mission, it will create history becoming first private space company in India to launch a rocket into space. 

    CHENNAI: After inclement weather played spoilsport and put off the Tuesday’s launch of ‘Vikram-S’, India’s first private rocket developed by Hyderabad-based space startup Skyroot Aerospace, excitement is again growing with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) giving a fresh launch date on November 18 at 11.30 am. 

    Although IMD said a fresh low pressure area will be forming in southeast of Bay of Bengal, the launch is likely to go ahead this time. Skyroot co-founder Pawan Chandana, who is camping in Sriharikota for the last 10 days said, “Our new launch window given by ISRO is between November 15 to 19. The only likely date is November 18. Since our vehicle is light-weight rocket and aerodynamically driven, wind speed plays a role. As of now, winds are within the limit and ‘Mission Prarambh’ is good to go.”

    Some of the members of Skyroot team are stationed in Sriharikota for a month now, conducting critical checks and interfacing the rocket with ISRO’s communication network. Pawan said, “We got the technical clearance from the IN-SPACe committee, which independently checked our vehicle readiness for the launch last week. The vehicle is healthy and passed all the critical checks. Coming Friday will be a big day for us considering the fact that it is our maiden mission, which is sort of experimental flight that would validate all the flight modules that will be use for future orbital missions.”
    The Vikram-S rocket, a single-stage sub-orbital vehicle, will carry payloads of two Indian and one foreign customers.

    One of the satellite that will be flown is ‘Fun-Sat’ developed by Spacekidz, a Chennai-based aerospace startup weighing 2.5 kg. If Skyroot accomplishes the mission, it will create history becoming first private space company in India to launch a rocket into space. 

  • Launch of India’s 1st rocket ‘Vikram-S’ gets postponed to Nov 18

    Express News Service

    CHENNAI: After inclement weather played spoilsport and put off Tuesday’s launch of ‘Vikram-S’, India’s first private rocket developed by Hyderabad-based space startup Skyroot Aerospace, excitement is again growing with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) giving a fresh launch date on November 18 at 11.30 am. 

    Although IMD said a fresh low pressure area will be forming in southeast of Bay of Bengal, the launch is likely to go ahead this time. Skyroot co-founder Pawan Chandana, who is camping in Sriharikota for the last 10 days said, “Our new launch window given by ISRO is between November 15 to 19. The only likely date is November 18. Since our vehicle is light-weight rocket and aerodynamically driven, wind speed plays a role. As of now, winds are within the limit and ‘Mission Prarambh’ is good to go.”

    Some of the members of Skyroot team are stationed in Sriharikota for a month now, conducting critical checks and interfacing the rocket with ISRO’s communication network. Pawan said, “We got the technical clearance from the IN-SPACe committee, which independently checked our vehicle readiness for the launch last week. The vehicle is healthy and passed all the critical checks. Coming Friday will be a big day for us considering the fact that it is our maiden mission, which is sort of experimental flight that would validate all the flight modules that will be use for future orbital missions.”The Vikram-S rocket, a single-stage sub-orbital vehicle, will carry payloads of two Indian and one foreign customers.

    One of the satellite that will be flown is ‘Fun-Sat’ developed by Spacekidz, a Chennai-based aerospace startup weighing 2.5 kg. If Skyroot accomplishes the mission, it will create history becoming first private space company in India to launch a rocket into space. 

    CHENNAI: After inclement weather played spoilsport and put off Tuesday’s launch of ‘Vikram-S’, India’s first private rocket developed by Hyderabad-based space startup Skyroot Aerospace, excitement is again growing with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) giving a fresh launch date on November 18 at 11.30 am. 

    Although IMD said a fresh low pressure area will be forming in southeast of Bay of Bengal, the launch is likely to go ahead this time. Skyroot co-founder Pawan Chandana, who is camping in Sriharikota for the last 10 days said, “Our new launch window given by ISRO is between November 15 to 19. The only likely date is November 18. Since our vehicle is light-weight rocket and aerodynamically driven, wind speed plays a role. As of now, winds are within the limit and ‘Mission Prarambh’ is good to go.”

    Some of the members of Skyroot team are stationed in Sriharikota for a month now, conducting critical checks and interfacing the rocket with ISRO’s communication network. Pawan said, “We got the technical clearance from the IN-SPACe committee, which independently checked our vehicle readiness for the launch last week. The vehicle is healthy and passed all the critical checks. Coming Friday will be a big day for us considering the fact that it is our maiden mission, which is sort of experimental flight that would validate all the flight modules that will be use for future orbital missions.”
    The Vikram-S rocket, a single-stage sub-orbital vehicle, will carry payloads of two Indian and one foreign customers.

    One of the satellite that will be flown is ‘Fun-Sat’ developed by Spacekidz, a Chennai-based aerospace startup weighing 2.5 kg. If Skyroot accomplishes the mission, it will create history becoming first private space company in India to launch a rocket into space. 

  • 1st privately-built rocket set for launch between Nov 12-16

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Giving a fillip to Indian rocketry, a Hyderabad-based space exploration start-up will launch the country’s first privately built and designed rocket, Vikram-S, between November 12 and 16.

    Announcing this on Tuesday, Skyroot Aerospace CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana said that “ a launch window between November 12 and 16 has been notified by authorities even as the final date for the operation will be confirmed based on weather conditions”.

    Skyroot Aerospace’s maiden mission, which has been named ‘Prarambh’, will carry three customer payloads and will be launched from Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Satish Dhawan Space Centre spaceport at Sriharikota.

    The first space mission for Skyroot was unveiled by ISRO chairman Dr S Somanath in Bengaluru on November 7. This followed the clearance for technical launch received from IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), the single window nodal agency for promoting and regulating space-tech players.

    The mission will propel Skyroot Aerospace as the first privately-run space exploration company to launch a rocket into orbit and is expected to boost the sector which was opened up in 2020. “The Vikram-S rocket is a single-stage sub-orbital launch vehicle which would carry three customer payloads and help test and validate the majority of the technologies in the Vikram series of space launch vehicles,” Skyroot Aerospace Chief Operating Office Naga Bharath Daka said.

    Skyroot’s launch vehicles are named ‘Vikram’ as a tribute to the founder of the Indian space programme and renowned scientist Vikram Sarabhai. Speaking to TNIE, the company’s business development lead Sireesh Pallikonda said that work on Vikram-S began in 2018 and it took four years to design, develop, manufacture , test and now launch the vehicle which is based on a “solid propellant technology”. Built using an all-carbon fibre structure, the Vikram series rockets are capable of carrying up to 800 kg payloads to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

    Skyroot has successfully built and tested India’s first privately developed cryogenic, hypergolic-liquid, and solid fuel-based rocket engines. The research and development and production activities extensively use advanced composite and 3D-printing technologies.

    NEW DELHI: Giving a fillip to Indian rocketry, a Hyderabad-based space exploration start-up will launch the country’s first privately built and designed rocket, Vikram-S, between November 12 and 16.

    Announcing this on Tuesday, Skyroot Aerospace CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana said that “ a launch window between November 12 and 16 has been notified by authorities even as the final date for the operation will be confirmed based on weather conditions”.

    Skyroot Aerospace’s maiden mission, which has been named ‘Prarambh’, will carry three customer payloads and will be launched from Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Satish Dhawan Space Centre spaceport at Sriharikota.

    The first space mission for Skyroot was unveiled by ISRO chairman Dr S Somanath in Bengaluru on November 7. This followed the clearance for technical launch received from IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), the single window nodal agency for promoting and regulating space-tech players.

    The mission will propel Skyroot Aerospace as the first privately-run space exploration company to launch a rocket into orbit and is expected to boost the sector which was opened up in 2020. “The Vikram-S rocket is a single-stage sub-orbital launch vehicle which would carry three customer payloads and help test and validate the majority of the technologies in the Vikram series of space launch vehicles,” Skyroot Aerospace Chief Operating Office Naga Bharath Daka said.

    Skyroot’s launch vehicles are named ‘Vikram’ as a tribute to the founder of the Indian space programme and renowned scientist Vikram Sarabhai. Speaking to TNIE, the company’s business development lead Sireesh Pallikonda said that work on Vikram-S began in 2018 and it took four years to design, develop, manufacture , test and now launch the vehicle which is based on a “solid propellant technology”. Built using an all-carbon fibre structure, the Vikram series rockets are capable of carrying up to 800 kg payloads to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

    Skyroot has successfully built and tested India’s first privately developed cryogenic, hypergolic-liquid, and solid fuel-based rocket engines. The research and development and production activities extensively use advanced composite and 3D-printing technologies.