Vikram-S marks "The Beginning" of private venture in Indian space programme with maiden success
Sriharikota (AP) (PTI): India on Friday successfully placed three satellites into an orbit on a rocket completely developed by a four-year-old startup, marking the entry of the private sector into space activities, currently dominated by the state-run behemoth ISRO.
Skyroot Aerospace-designed Vikram-S, named in a befitting tribute to the father of the country's space programme Vikram Sarabhai, tasted success in its maiden mission. Skyroot Aerospace become the first privately held company in India after the space sector was opened for the private players by the Centre in 2020.
"I am happy to announce the successful completion of Mission Prarambh, The Beginning, by Skyroot aerospace," a smiling Pawan Goenka, Chairman of the country's space regulator, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (INSPACe), said from ISRO's Mission Control Center here.
The rocket achieved an altitude of 89.5 km and a range of 121.2 km, "exactly what was planned by Skyroot Aerospace," he said.
The rocket "worked as planned" and Skyroot Aerospace has demonstrated various capability of sub-systems that will go into the orbital launch vehicle, he added.
The rocket integrated into the launcher soared after lifting off at the prefixed 11.30 am from the sounding rocket complex at the Indian Space Research Organisation's Satish Dhawan Space Centre, here, about 115 km from Chennai.
The Mission unveiled by ISRO Chairman S Somanath has three payloads with two belonging to domestic customers and one from a foreign client.
The 6-metre tall launch vehicle is one of the world's first few all-composite rockets that has 3-D printed solid thrusters for spin stability of the launch vehicle.
"This is a new beginning for the Indian private sector entering aerospace and a historic moment for all of us," Goenka said.
The three payloads riding piggyback on the rocket are from Chennai-based start-up SpaceKidz, Andhra Pradesh-based N-SpaceTech and Armenian BazoomQ Space Research Lab.
Vikram-S launched the payloads in about 500 km low inclination orbit.
In a departure from the routine, Friday's mission was launched from the complex where sounding rockets were used by ISRO.
The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota has two launch complexes, each capable of providing complete support for vehicle assembly, check out and launch operations for any kind of missions -- Low Earth Orbit, Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. PSLVs and GSLVs are launched from here.
Friday's mission is considered to be a significant milestone for Skyroot Aerospace as it would help test and validate majority of the technologies in the Vikram series of orbital class space launch vehicles, including many sub-systems and technologies that would be tested before lift-off and post lift off phases of the launch.
'Fun-Sat', a 2.5 kgs payload belonging to Chennai-based aerospace startup Spacekidz, has been developed by students from India, the United States, Singapore and Indonesia.
The 545 kg Vikram launch vehicle consists of the Vikram II and Vikram III series.
The technology architecture of the launch vehicle offers unique capabilities like multi-orbit insertion and interplanetary missions, while providing customised, dedicated and ride share options covering a wide spectrum of small satellite customer needs, Skyroot Aerospace said.
The company added the rockets can be assembled and launched within 24 hours from any launch site.
Mission Prarambh is successfully accomplished.
— ISRO (@isro) November 18, 2022
Congratulations @SkyrootA
Congratulations India! @INSPACeIND pic.twitter.com/PhRF9n5Mh4
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Comedian Shyam Rangeela’s nomination from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat rejected
Varanasi: Shyam Rangeela, the comedian who announced his candidacy for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, has had his nomination rejected. Sources informed on Wednesday that the rejection was due to Rangeela's failure to submit the required affidavit.
Rangeela had filed his nomination just a day before the rejection. Following his submission, he tweeted: "After completing all the documentation, and procedures and overcoming other hurdles, we are now on the verge of becoming an option for the people of Varanasi. Just wait for two-three more days, let the symbol arrive, we will fight with full strength, with your support."
Earlier, Rangeela claimed he faced significant obstacles while attempting to file his nomination papers. Since May 10, he had been trying to submit his paperwork but alleged he was barred from entering the district magistrate’s office on the same day Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination. Rangeela also mentioned that he did not bring a team from his hometown of Sriganganagar to contest the elections in Varanasi.
Rangeela reported receiving numerous phone calls from Varanasi residents who expressed their willingness to support his campaign. He emphasized his commitment to contesting against Prime Minister Modi, stating, "Winning or losing is a different matter, but I will contest the elections against the Prime Minister at any cost. I am not contesting elections to become famous, I am already very famous among the public."
Surendra Rajput of the Congress party supported Rangeela's claims, alleging that the administration was not providing Rangeela with the necessary nomination papers. "Everyone is free to file a nomination, including PM Modi. However, other people are not allowed to file their nominations from the constituency. A YouTuber named Rangeela, who wished to file a nomination from Varanasi, isn’t getting nomination papers from the administration," Rajput stated.
In the Varanasi constituency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces opposition from Congress candidate Ajai Rai and Bahujan Samajwadi Party’s Athar Ali Lari.
वाराणसी से नहीं लड़ने देंगे ये तय था, अब साफ़ हो गया
— Shyam Rangeela (@ShyamRangeela) May 15, 2024
दिल ज़रूर टूट गया है, हौंसला नहीं टूटा है ।
आप सबके सहयोग के लिए शुक्रिया ।
मीडिया और शुभचिंतकों से निवेदन है कृपया अभी कॉल ना करें, जो भी सूचना होगी यहाँ देता रहूँगा, शायद अब थोड़ी देर बातचीत करने की इच्छा नहीं है pic.twitter.com/aB6AZqLGqv
