On Friday, November 18, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched Vikram-S, the nation’s first privately developed launch vehicle, as part of the Prarambh mission. Prarambh is the first mission of Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based space-tech startup, and it has received support from ISRO as well as the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (INSPACe).
At 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Vikram-S was successfully launched into space from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Vikram-S and Prarambh mission information
The Vikram-S spacecraft is carrying three customer payloads. Prarambh, which means “beginning,” is a first in India’s private space sector.
Prarambh’s campaign slogan is “A New Beginning.” ‘A New Beginning.’ The mission patch for Prarambh was uncovered by ISRO Chairman S Somanath.
Vikram-S was created in less than two years and will run on solid fuels. It has cutting-edge avionics and core structures made entirely of carbon fibre.
Skyroot Aerospace claims that the mission will aid in the testing and validation of the majority of the technologies in the Vikram series of orbital-class space launch vehicles. The mission will also ensure that many subsystems and technologies are tested both before and after the lift.
Space Kidz India, BazoomQ Armenia, and N-Space Tech India have built payloads for Vikram-S.
Vikram-S is one of only a few all-composite space launch vehicles in the world. To ensure spin stability, the solid thrusters were 3D-printed. The rocket will put to the test 80% of the technologies that will be used in the future Vikram series of orbital-class space launch vehicles.
Why Skyroot Aerospace’s rocket series is called ‘Vikram’
Skyroot Aerospace has named its launch vehicles ‘Vikram’ in honour of Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of ISRO and the father of the Indian Space Programme.
Skyroot Aerospace intends to advance its mission of making space travel affordable, reliable, and consistent for all.