Vikram-S, India’s first privately made rocket, was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota. The mission has been named ‘Prarambh’. 

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The Mission Prarambh is a major development in India’s space sector, making Skyroot Aerospace the first private company to launch its rocket two years after the sector was opened to private players in June 2020.

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The rocket is named after Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of India’s space programme. Vikram-S carries three satellites, including one by SpaceKidz India called FunSat, parts of which were developed by school students. It also carried payloads of Andhra Pradesh-based N-SpaceTech and Armenian BazoomQ Space Research Lab.

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The 6-metre-tall Vikram-S soared to an altitude of 81 km after its launch. The Vikram rockets will be able to carry around 290 kg to 560 kg payloads into sun-synchronous polar orbits. The rocket is one of the world’s first few all-composite rockets that has 3-D printed solid thrusters for spin stability to the launch vehicle, according to a report in PTI.

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Dr Pawan Kumar Goenka, chairman, IN-SPACe called it a “milestone” and “a new era” in the space history of India with a private player witnessing a successful launch. “This is a new beginning for the private sector as it enters the space sector,” he added.

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Union Minister Jitendra Singh also attended the launch. He
also shared a photo with the team. “This is indeed a new prarambh (start) for the
private space sector. This is a turning point in India’s startup movement,” he
said on Friday.

According to Skyroot, the technology structure of the launch vehicle Vikram offers unique capabilities like multi-orbit insertion, and interplanetary mission, while providing customized, dedicated, and ride-sharing options covering a wide range of small satellite customer needs.

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The launch vehicle is equipped with telemetry, tracking, Global
Positioning System (GPS), on-board camera, data acquisition, and power
systems, it added.

According to Skyroot, the technology structure of the launch vehicle Vikram offers unique capabilities like multi-orbit insertion, and interplanetary mission, while providing customized, dedicated, and ride-sharing options covering a wide range of small satellite customer needs.

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Hyderabad-based Skyroot was the first startup to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ISRO for launching its rockets. Starting in 2018, Skyroot has successfully built and tested India’s first privately developed cryogenic, hypergolic-liquid, and solid fuel-based rocket engines using advanced composite and 3D-printing technologies.