Vikram-S: ISRO launches India’s first privately developed rocket as part of Prarambh Mission

India has etched history with the launch of Vikram-S, a suborbital vehicle developed by Skyroot Aerospace

November 18, 2022

Skyroot Aerospace has developed the Vikram-S, a single-stage spin-stabilized solid propellant rocket

Vikram-S, India’s first private-sector rocket was launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota carrying three CubeSats at 11:30 am IST on Friday, November 18, under the mission named ‘Prarambh‘.

India has etched history with the launch of Vikram-S, a suborbital vehicle developed by Skyroot Aerospace. The launch has marked the foray of the private sector into the country’s space industry, dominated by the state-run ISRO for decades.

Skyroot Aerospace has developed the Vikram-S, a single-stage spin-stabilized solid propellant rocket with a mass of approximately 550 kilograms.

Skyroot Aerospace is a 4-year-old startup. Notably, Skyroot Aerospace has become the first private company in India to give wings to the Indian space programme, after the Centre opened the sector to private players in 2020.

The Vikram-S rocket stands six meters tall and has a mass of 545 kg, according to Skyroot’s brochure. Having a diameter of 0.4 meter, the rocket has a peak vacuum thrust of 7 tonnes and is capable of transporting 83 kg payload to an altitude of 100 km at a peak velocity of Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).

Skyroot said that it is ‘one of the world’s first few all composite space launch vehicles’ and has 3D printed solid thrusters for spin stability. It is powered by the solid-fuelled propulsion system of the Kalam 80 engine and has been developed in a record time of two years.

Vikram-S is a tribute to the father of India’s space program Vikram Sarabhai.

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