Skyroot Aerospace, a space technology startup based in Hyderabad, has successfully test-fired Dhawan-1, India’s first privately developed fully cryogenic rocket engine.
- This will power the upper stages of its upcoming Vikram-2 orbital launch vehicle.
- The rocket engine Dhawan-1 is named after Satish Dhawan, an Indian rocket scientist.
About Dhawan-1:
i.Dhawan-1 is a completely ‘Made-in-India’ cryogenic engine, developed using 3D printing with a superalloy.
ii.The usage of 3D printing has reduced around 95% of manufacturing time.
iii.The engine is fuelled by liquefied natural gas and liquid oxygen—a high-performance, low-cost and clean rocket fuel
Key Points:
i.Skyroot Aerospace has demonstrated all three types of propulsion technologies: liquid propulsion, solid propulsion and cryogenic propulsion.
ii.In July 2020, Skyroot test-fired its liquid propulsion engine ‘Raman’ – Vikram-1 launch vehicle’s upper stage rocket engine. The engine was named after Nobel Laureate Sir. CV. Raman.Â
iii.In December 2020, the company test-fired ‘Kalam-5’ solid propulsion rocket engine, which will be used to power the lower stages of its Vikram rocket. The engine is named after India’s missile man and former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
Additional info:
i.Skyroot is backed by the promoters of renewable energy firm Greenko Group, explosives manufacturer and ISRO supplier Solar Industries and Curefit founder Mukesh Bansal.
ii.Skyroot is working on developing and manufacturing rockets that will hurl small satellites into space at low cost and turnaround times.
iii.The company also plans to use carbon composites, a material lighter and stronger than steel, to develop the rocket case.
About Skyroot Aerospace:
Co-Founder, CEO & CTO– Pawan Kumar Chandana
Co-Founder, COO– Naga Bharath Daka
Headquarters–Â Hyderabad, Telangana
