Space regulator authorises India's first private rocket Vikram-S launch on Nov 18
New Delhi, Nov 16: India's space regulator on Wednesday authorised the launch of first private sector rocket Vikram-S, a suborbital vehicle developed by Skyroot Aerospace.
"The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) authorises maiden launch by a private Indian space start-up Skyroot Aerospace to fly Vikram-S suborbital vehicle on November 18, 2022 between 11 am and 12 pm from sounding rocket complex, Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO," IN-SPACe, the space regulator, said.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh will be present at Sriharikota to witness the maiden launch of the privately-developed rocket.
Singh said the launch of Vikram-S will be a major milestone in the journey of ISRO, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unlocked the space sector in India two years ago for private participation.
He said Skyroot Aerospace has developed the Vikram-S, a single stage spin stabilised solid propellant rocket with mass of approximately 550 kilograms.
He said the rocket goes to the max altitude of 101 kilometres and splashes into the sea and the overall duration of launch is 300 seconds only.
Singh said that Skyroot was the first startup to sign a MoU with ISRO for launching its rockets.
The Union minister said space sector reforms have unleashed innovative potential of start-ups and within a short span of time, about 102 start-ups were working in cutting-edge areas of space debris management, nano-satellite, launch vehicle, ground systems, and research.
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DRI seizes commercial quantity of psychotropic substance worth Rs 8.3 cr; 3 arrested
Bengaluru (PTI): DRI officers recovered approximately 8.3 kilograms of a psychotropic substance worth approximately Rs 8.3 crore and arrested three persons in connection with the case.
According to DRI, its Bengaluru Zonal Unit officials, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted a 26-year-old male passenger of Mizoram origin upon his arrival from New Delhi at KSR Railway Station in Bengaluru.
Upon examination of his baggage, approximately 8.3 kilograms of a psychotropic substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride (popularly known as Crystal Meth) having an illicit market value of Rs 8.3 crore was recovered, DRI said in a statement, adding that the quantity recovered falls within the ambit of commercial quantity under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Based on further investigation and follow-up action, two additional individuals linked to the case were identified and intercepted at separate locations in Bengaluru, and both individuals are local residents, aged approximately 25 and 29 years, DRI further said.
In total, three persons have been apprehended and arrested in connection with the case.
Further, a search conducted on the premises of one of the accused persons resulted in the recovery of approximately 200 SIM cards, around 45 debit/credit cards, and multiple mobile phones, which are suspected to have been used in the operation and facilitation of the drug trafficking network.
The seized contraband and other incriminating materials have been taken into custody under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985, the DRI said, adding that, further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other persons involved in the network.
