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Mahesh

11/11/22 14:05 PM IST

Vikram S

In News 
  • Vikram-S, India’s first privately developed launch vehicle, is set to take off from the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) launchpad in Sriharikota as part of Mission Prarambh (the beginning).
Mission Prarambh 
  • It is a mission under which Vikram-S – India’s first privately developed launch vehicle by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace will carry 3 customer satellites (2 Indian and 1 foreign) in a sub-orbital flight.
  • Suborbital flights travel at a slower rate than orbital velocity – velocity at which a body revolves around the other body. They are fast enough to reach outer space but not fast enough to remain in orbit around the Earth.
  • A tribute to Vikram Sarabhai – founder of the Indian space programme, the launch vehicles have been crafted specially for the small satellite (between 5-1000 kg) market.
Vikram S 
  • Named after Vikram Sarabhai, the Father of the Indian Space Programme, Vikram S is a small-lift launch vehicle that will “signal the beginning of a new era for the space industry.
  • The Vikram-S rocket is a single-stage sub-orbital launch vehicle which would carry three customer payloads and help test and validate the majority of the technologies in the Vikram series of space launch vehicles.
  • The ‘Vikram’ series has three rockets that are being developed to launch small satellites.
  • These will help to support communication services such as broadband internet, GPS, IoT from space and earth imaging.
  • The Vikram series (I, II, III) comprises solid-state rockets that are built on upgradeable architecture with carbon composite and 3D-printed motors and can be assembled and launched in less than 72 hours.
  • They can carry satellites weighing up to 815kgs to the low Earth orbit and the sun-synchronous polar orbits (SSPOs). 
  • Vikram I will be the first of the series launch that includes three solid fuel stages, plus a liquid-fueled kick stage.
  • It will be able to carry lighter satellites, weighing up to 480 kg to low-inclination orbits. Vikram I will have two Indian and one foreign payload.
Skyroot Aerospace 
  • Based in Hyderabad, Skyroot was the first startup to sign a memorandum of understanding with ISRO for launching its rockets.
  • It aims to disrupt entry barriers to cost-efficient satellite launch services and space-flight by advancing its mission to make spaceflights affordable, reliable and regular for all.
Source- Indian Express 

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