ISRO successfully launches first-ever private rocket

By Sarkaritel November 17, 2022 07:33

New Delhi, Nov 18 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made history on Friday when it launched the first-ever private rocket, setting a new milestone in the 75 years journey of independent India.

Union Science & Technology Minister Jitendra Singh was present on the occassion.

It is major milestone in the journey of ISRO, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had unlocked the space sector in India two years ago for private participation.

Non-government entity, startup Skyroot Aerospace Pvt Ltd (SAPL) has developed the Vikram-suborbital (VKS) rocket, which is a single stage spin stabilised solid propellant rocket with mass of approx 550 kg. The rocket goes to the max altitude of 101 km and splashes into the sea and the overall duration of launch is 300 seconds only.

Skyroot was the first startup to sign a MoU with ISRO for launching its rockets. Apart from being the nation’s first private launch, it will also be the maiden mission of Skyroot Aerospace, named “Prarambh”. It will carry a total of three payloads in space, including one from the foreign customers.

This will provide a level playing field for cost-efficient satellite launch services by disrupting the entry barriers and will also help the startups to make spaceflights affordable and reliable.