Context: Skyroot Aerospace has successfully test fired the Stage-2 of Vikram Space launch vehicle, called Kalam-2 at the propulsion testbed of ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Vikram-1 is India's first private orbital rocket launch, and its Stage-2 is called Kalam-250.
- Vikram-1 is a small-lift launch vehicle being developed by Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian private space company.
- When launched, it will become India's first privately-developed orbital rocket, marking a significant milestone in the country's space sector.
- The rocket's second stage, which is responsible for propelling the payload into orbit after the first stage separates, is named Kalam-250.
- This stage has been successfully test-fired, bringing Skyroot Aerospace closer to their goal of launching Vikram-1.
Kalam-250 rocket motor utilizes high-strength carbon composite material and solid fuel propellant.
- The Kalam-250 rocket motor, which powers the second stage of the Vikram-1 rocket, is made of high-strength carbon composite material, which uses solid fuel and a high-performance Ethylene-Propylene-Diene terpolymers (EPDM) Thermal Protection System (TPS).
- This lightweight yet robust material helps to reduce the overall weight of the rocket while maintaining structural integrity.
- Additionally, the Kalam-250 uses solid fuel propellant, which is a type of rocket fuel that is stable, easy to store, and provides high thrust.
- The combination of carbon composite material and solid fuel propellant makes the Kalam-250 an efficient and reliable rocket motor.
IN-SPACe is responsible for promoting and regulating private sector participation in space activities.
- The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre, known as IN-SPACe, established a government entity under the Department of Space.
- Its primary objective is to promote, encourage, and regulate the participation of private companies in India's space sector.
- IN-SPACe acts as a single-window agency for private entities, helping them navigate the regulatory framework, obtain necessary permissions, and access ISRO's facilities and expertise.
- By streamlining the process and providing support, IN-SPACe aims to foster the growth of India's private space industry and attract investments.
Skyroot Aerospace is the only private company in India to have successfully launched both suborbital and orbital rockets.
- While Skyroot Aerospace has indeed successfully launched a suborbital rocket called Vikram-S in November 2022, they have not yet launched an orbital rocket.
- Suborbital rockets are designed to reach space but not complete an orbit around the Earth, while orbital rockets are capable of placing payloads into orbit.
- Vikram-1, which is currently under development by Skyroot Aerospace, will be their first orbital rocket.