Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian Space Startup successfully test fired a solid propulsion rocket engine named ‘Kalam-5’ from an Private Test Facility at Nagpur, Maharashtra. It is the 1st Private company of India to successfully design, develop & test a full solid-fueled rocket stage.
i.It will now be used for propulsion of their maiden rocket ‘Vikram-1’ which is expected to be launched in December, 2021 with the help of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
ii.‘Kalam-5’ is the 1st of 5 Kalam series of solid rocket motors, the other four rocket motors are expected to be tested in 2021.
Kalam-5:
i.They have a thrust ranging from 5 kN (kilonewton) – 1000 kN (approximately 100 Tons).
ii.They have been using advanced Carbon Composite Structure which are five-times lighter than steel & will help in improving the efficiency of the rocket.
iii.Kalam-5 can give peak Sea Level thrust of 5.3 kN (kilonewton) & designed to take 66 atmospheres & 30, 000 C of combustion pressure & Temperature.
iv.It has zero moving parts which means they are highly reliable.
v.Kalam-5 is the smaller version of Vikram-1 Launch Vehicle’s 3rd stage – ‘Kalam-100’.
Vikram-I:
i.Vikram-I is a rocket being developed by Skyroot Aerospace. It will be powered by 4 engines – 3 solid-fuel stages & 1 liquid-fueled stage.
ii.Skyroot has successfully tested all propulsion technologies in Vikram-1 vehicles.
iii.The Test firing of Vikram-1 launch vehicle’s 3rd stage ‘Kalam-100’ is scheduled in 2021 with ISRO’s assistance.
iv.The rocket will be used for launching small satellites by ISRO & other space research organisations.
Skyroot Aerospace:
i.It is a startup founded by Former scientists of ISRO, it has raised USD 4.3 million and has set a target to raise USD 15 Million in 2021.
ii.It has investments from Mukesh Bansal (Founder of Myntra), Solar Industries (India’s largest explosives manufacturer & renowned Space & Defence Contractor), Vedanshu Investments & Angel investors.
Private players in India’s space sector:
i.In June, 2020, the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the participation of Private players in the entire range of space activities.
ii.Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) set up by the Government of India will act as the facilitator & regulator.
iii.Private players are also allowed to use ISRO’s infrastructure, scientific and technical resources, and even data for their space programmes.
iv.ISRO encourages private industry to manufacture small satellite launch vehicles & Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles, while it will focus on building next generation rockets, satellites & deep space missions.
Recent Related News:
i.On September 30, 2020, Indian Aerospace Startup AgniKul Cosmos signed a MoUwith Alaska Aerospace Corporation to test launch Indian made Agnibaan Rocket from Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) on Kodiak Island in the United States.
ii.On November 17, 2020, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) delivered First Hardware – a Booster Segment – ‘S-200’ for Gaganyaan Launch Vehicle to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) in a virtual flag-off ceremony.
About Skyroot Aerospace:
Co-Founder, CEO & CTO– Pawan Kumar Chandana
Co-Founder & COO– Naga Bharath Daka
Headquarters– Hyderabad, Telangana
