Photo: Collected
Metropolis Desk-
The ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) launched Vikram-suborbital (VKS), India’s first privately built rocket, on Friday. Skyroot Aerospace named the rocket after Vikram Sarabhai, widely regarded as the father of India’s space industry. The mission has been named Prarambh, which means “beginning” in Sanskrit.
Around 11.30 a.m., the launch from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh took place. According to reports, the rocket’s peak apogee was 89 km, while the intended aim was 80 km.
Dr. Pawan Kumar Goenka, chairman of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), described the successful launch of a private player as a “milestone” and “new era” in India’s space history. “This is a new beginning for private players in the space sector,” he said.
This follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement in June 2020 that the space sector would be open to private participation. The government referred to it as a significant reform in the context of the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative.
After the government opened the door to private businesses, Hyderabad-based Skyroot, which was created in 2018 and is supported by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC, became the first space company to sign a deal to use Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launch and test facilities.
Vikram is “a series of modular Space launch vehicles especially developed for the small satellite industry,” according to Skyroot Aersopace. The company claims on its official website that “Launching Satellites to Space will Soon Become As Easy as Booking a Cab — Quick, Precise and Affordable!”
