Vikram S Rocket - UPSC Notes | Testbook.com

Exploring the Vikram S Rocket

The Vikram-S is India’s pioneering single-stage suborbital launch vehicle, privately developed by Skyroot Aerospace. This project was undertaken with the support of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion & Authorisation Centre – the regulator for the private sector space industry).

Image source: https://skyroot.in/

• Skyroot Aerospace named its rockets "Vikram" as a tribute to Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the founding father of the Indian Space Program.
• The entire system of the rocket was designed and developed in-house, except for a few imported sensors.
• Under the Mission Prarambh (beginning), the Vikram-S launch will transport three customer payloads to space, two of which belong to Indian customers, and one to a foreign customer.
• The launch of Vikram-S marks a significant milestone for India’s private space sector, which was deregulated in 2020.
• The Vikram-S is powered by the Kalam 80 propulsion system, which propels the three-stage rocket to an altitude of 120 km above the Earth's surface.

Understanding Skyroot Aerospace

Skyroot, based in Hyderabad, is the first start-up to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ISRO to launch its rockets into space.

• Established in 2018, Skyroot has successfully designed and tested India’s first privately developed cryogenic, hypergolic-liquid and solid fuel-based rocket engines using advanced composite and 3-D printing technologies.
• One of the primary objectives of opening the space sector to private companies in India is to foster an environment conducive to cost-efficient satellite launch services. This move is expected to disrupt the entry barriers and help companies progress their missions, thereby making spaceflights more affordable, reliable, and regular.

Vikram Series

• Skyroot is currently developing three variants of the Vikram rocket.
  • The Vikram I, which has a payload or carrying capacity of 480 kg to a 500 km low inclination orbit (LIO).
  • The Vikram II, with a payload or carrying capacity of 595 kg to a 500 km LIO, 400 kg to a 500 km SSPO (sun-synchronous polar orbits).
  • The Vikram III, which has a payload or carrying capacity of 815 kg to a 500 km LIO, 560 kg to a 500 km SSPO (sun-synchronous polar orbits).