New Delhi: Sriharikota is preparing for another historic mission. Today marks the launch of a sounding rocket by Hyderabad-based start-up Skyroot Aerospace. Indians are waiting to witness the launch of Vikram S, India’s first private rocket. Launching is at 11:30 am. The mission lasts just five minutes.
After reaching a height of 81.5 km from the surface, the rocket will hit the sea. Skyroot will become India’s first private space company to launch a rocket into space.
Apart from being the country’s first private launch, it is also Skyroot Aerospace’s first mission, named ‘Prarambh’. The company and its operations show a new era in the private space sector and thus the mission is named as ‘Prarambh’ which means a beginning.
The launch vehicles manufactured by Skyroot Aerospace are named Vikram as a tribute to Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of the Indian Space Program and a renowned scientist.
Vikram is a small lift launch vehicle. It can carry three payloads. Vikram S will launch three satellites, including the 2.5 kg Fun-Sat, developed by students from India, US, Singapore and Indonesia under the leadership of SpaceKids India. Skyroot establishes three rockets, Vikram-I with a payload of 480 kg, Vikram-II with a payload of 595kg, Vikram-III with a payload of 815kg.
