What is Kalam-250?

About Kalam-250

• It is a stage-2 of the Vikram-1 space launch vehicle.
• It is a high-strength carbon composite rocket motor, which uses solid fuel and a high-performance Ethylene-Propylene-Diene terpolymers (EPDM) thermal protection system (TPS).
• The stage includes a carbon ablative flex nozzle along with high-precision electro-mechanical actuators for thrust vector control of the vehicle, aiding in achieving the desired trajectory. 
• The second stage of Vikram-1 will play a crucial role in the ascent of the launch vehicle, propelling it from the atmosphere to the deep vacuum of outer space.

Key facts about the Vikram-1 Rocket

• It is named after the father of India’s space programme, Vikram Sarabhai, is a multi-stage launch vehicle with a capacity to place around 300 kg of payloads in low-earth orbit.
• It has been built by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, a space startup.
• It is an all-carbon-fibre-bodied rocket that can place multiple satellites into orbit.
• Being a solid-fuel rocket and using relatively simpler technologies would mean that launching this vehicle would require minimal infrastructure and that the rocket could be assembled and launched within 24 hours from any site.

Q1) What is Low Earth orbit?

It encompasses Earth-centered orbits with an altitude of 2,000 km (1,200 mi) or less. Low Earth orbit is considered the area in Earth orbit near enough to Earth for convenient transportation, communication, observation, and resupply.

Source: Skyroot successfully test fires Stage-2 of Vikram 1 space launch vehicle