Aerospace startup Skyroot Aerospace made history today to become the first private sector player in space arena to launch its rocket Vikram – S successfully into earth low orbit. The rocket called Vikram-S into space at 11:30 am from the ISRO launch center in Srihari Kota took off with great precision to travel around 80 kms upwards before commencing its descent.
The Prime Minister in his congratulatory message route:
A historic moment for India as the rocket Vikram-S, developed by Skyroot Aerospace, took off from Sriharikota today! It is an important milestone in the journey of India’s private space industry. Congrats to @isro & @INSPACeIND for enabling this feat.
The Vikram-S rocket, the first of the Vikram-series took off from the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) launchpad in Sriharikota. This is the first private rocket launch taking place in India.
The jubiliant Skyroot founders and its team shared their joy on twitter and wrote: 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. The Vikram rocket can reach hypersonic speeds”. Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-Founder of Skyroot.
Skyroot – Prarambh of a great future
“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.
The Rocket in its maiden flight achieved 89.5 Kms peak altitude. Vikram-S rocket also met all flight parameters.
Vikram-S is a single stage fuel rocket meant to test most systems and processes in Skyroot Aerospace’s project ahead of the launch of Vikram-1 scheduled for next year. The launch today is also a sub-orbital one, meaning the vehicle will reach outer space, it will not remain in orbit around the Earth, with the flight time being less than five minutes.
Vikram-S Key highlights
Mass: 546 Kg
Length: 8 M ( approx 27 ft)
Diameter : 0.376m ( Approx 1.24 ft)
Peak Volume Thrus
7t ( 7000 Kg)
Peak Combustion Pressure
80 bar
Peak Velocity – March 5 ( Hypersonic )
Payload Capacity
83 Kg to 100 Km altitude
Vikram S has an all-carbon fibre core structure
It is equippee with 3d Printed engines for spin stablity during flight
It is one of the cheapest rockets built in its category, globally
A 200 engineering team worked to built it in a record time of 2 years
Launch to test
80% of onboard technologies for company’s future Vikram Series Launches
Effectiveness of inflight avionics, including telemetry, tracking, inertial measurement, GPS, Camera and data acquistion and powersystems
Skyroot is founded by Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharat Daka, Skyroot has raised $68 Mn in funding to date.
