Why Vikram-S Rocket is a Milestone for India

India’s first privately developed rocket, Vikram-S, ventured out into space from the Sriharikota spaceport of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Let us discuss why this launch is considered to be a major breakthrough for Indian space research and development.

*Launch of Vikram-S marks the entry of private sector into India’s space industry. This rocket is manufactured by a four-year-old startup, Skyroot Aerospace. India’s space sector opened up for private organizations in 2020.

*This rocket is named after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian Space program.

* Vikram-S 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 recent private space mission will carry three payloads. Two of them are from India while the third one is of Armenian BazoomQ Space Research Lab.

*Vikram-S rocket will reach an altitude of 81 km above the earth’s surface and splash down into the sea after releasing the payloads.

*The Vikram-S launch vehicle is expected to place the payloads in about 500 km low inclination orbit.

*Skyroot Aerospace has so far raised Rs 526 crore for its space projects.

*Till now 150 private companies have applied to be part of space programs in India. They want to work in the fields of launch space vehicle, satellites, payload and ground station activities.