India’s first private launch vehicle all set for maiden flight

26-08-2023

12:21 PM

1 min read

India’s first privately developed launch vehicle –Vikram-S – is all set to make its maiden flight from the country’s only spaceport in Sriharikota between November 12 and 16.

Background:

Led by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India’s space program has impressively evolved for the past 50 years.
In terms of technological capabilities India ranks among the top 5 space faring nations of the world.
- India is globally recognised for building low-cost satellites and launch vehicles.
Despite having world’s most accomplished space program, India’s space sector accounts for only2-3% of the global space economy.
- The global space economy is estimated at ~US $440 billion.
To increase the share in the global business, Government of India has initiated the space sector reforms, to promote, handhold, regulate and authorise private enterprises and start-ups to undertake space activities.

IN-SPACe is an independent nodal agency under Department of Space (DoS).
It was set-up for allowing space activities and usage of DoS owned facilities by non-governmental private entities as well as to prioritize the launch manifest.
- As a part of space sector reforms in June 2020, the Government of India had set up the IN-SPACe.
Objective – To ensure greater private participation in India’s space activities.
IN-SPACe will act as an interface between ISRO and private parties, and assess how best to utilise India’s space resources and increase space-based activities.
It will assess the needs and demands of private players, including educational and research institutions, and, explore ways to accommodate these requirements in consultation with ISRO.
Headquarters of IN-SPACe is located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
IN-SPACe is the second space organisation created by the Government in the last two years.
- In 2019 Union Budget, the Central Government had announced the setting up of a New Space India Limited (NSIL).
- NSIL is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) set up to serve as a marketing arm of ISRO.

Presently, FDI in space is allowed under government route only for satellite establishment and operations.
FDI in space is approved by the Government on a case-by-case basis and often this approval takes time.
However, witnessing the change in approach of the Indian Government towards private players involvement, Indian companies will be allowed to invest up to 100% and 70% through FDI with approval of centre in all the streams Upstream, mid-stream and downstream segment.

Present Scenario:

IN-SPACe has so far received 67 proposals in the areas of launch vehicles, satellites, space applications, ground systems and research from entities from small to big entities.
Moreover, 10 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed between private players and IN-SPACe, including eight in payload and two in vehicle launches.

Hyderabad-based space technology startup Skyroot Aerospace is set to make history by sending India’s first privately-developed rocket – Vikram-S – into space.
Marking the beginning of private sector launches, the mission named ‘Prarambh’ will see Vikram-S rocket carry three customer satellites in a sub-orbital flight.

The Vikram-S rocket is a single-stage sub-orbital launch vehicle.
- Sub-orbital flight are those vehicles which are travelling slower than the orbital velocity – meaning it is fast enough to reach outer space but not fast enough to stay in an orbit around the Earth.
Under mission Prarambh, Vikram-S will carry three customer satellites in a sub-orbital flight.
With this mission, Skyroot Aerospace is set to become the first private space company in India to launch a rocket into space.
Skyroot's launch vehicles are named 'Vikram' as a tribute to the founder of the Indian space programme and renowned scientist Vikram Sarabhai.