Mission Prarambh & India's First Private Launch Vehicle: Vikram-S
India’s First Private Launch Vehicle: Vikram-S
Historically, space exploration and rocket launches in India were conducted exclusively by the government through the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). However, recent policy changes have opened the space sector to private enterprises. A major milestone in this transition was achieved by Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian aerospace startup.
The Prarambh Mission
The word Prarambh translates to ‘the beginning’. This mission aptly marked the first time a private Indian company launched a rocket into space. Conducted with extensive infrastructure support from ISRO and authorized by IN-SPACe (the regulatory body for private space activities), the mission successfully demonstrated the capabilities of India’s private space industry.
- Launch Date and Outcome: The Prarambh mission was successfully executed on November 18, 2022, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
- Payloads: The mission was aimed at carrying three customer payloads into space. This included a small 2.5-kilogram payload developed collaboratively by students from several countries.
Understanding the Vikram-S Rocket
The rocket used for the Prarambh mission was named Vikram-S, serving as a tribute to Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founding father of the Indian space program.
- Sub-Orbital Flight: Vikram-S is a single-stage, sub-orbital launch vehicle. A sub-orbital flight means the rocket travels fast enough to cross the boundary of outer space (reaching an altitude of approximately 89.5 kilometers), but it does not achieve the necessary speed—known as orbital velocity—to stay in a continuous orbit around the Earth.
- Mission Purpose: The primary goal of launching Vikram-S was not to deploy long-term satellites, but rather to test and validate new technologies, materials, and engines that will be used in larger, future orbital rockets.
The Vikram Series of Launch Vehicles
Building on the success of the Vikram-S test flight, Skyroot Aerospace is developing a complete family of orbital launch vehicles designed specifically for the rapidly growing small satellite market. These rockets are engineered to be highly cost-effective and capable of placing satellites into various orbits.
Based on current designs, the Vikram series includes three main variants, categorized by their payload capacities:
- Vikram-I: Designed to launch a 480-kilogram payload into orbit.
- Vikram-II: Designed with a higher capacity to carry a 595-kilogram payload.
- Vikram-III: The largest in the series, capable of delivering an 815-kilogram payload into a 500-kilometer Low Inclination Orbit (LIO).
By successfully launching the Vikram-S, India has demonstrated that its private sector can actively contribute to the global space economy, working alongside government institutions to build reliable and affordable space transportation.
