Tamil Nadu space startup successfully launches first reusable hybrid rocket RHUMI
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu-based startup Space Zone India on Saturday launched its first reusable hybrid rocket, Mission RHUMI-2024, onboard a mobile platform to take up research on global warming and climate change.
City-headquartered Space Zone India has been conducting various projects under Mission RHUMI over the last two years.
The RHUMI rocket launched early in the day at Thiruvidanthai on the scenic East Coast Road near Chennai is powered by a generic-fuel-based hybrid motor and electrically triggered parachute deployer.
"It is 3.5 metre tall rocket and was launched at about 7.25 am from the earlier 7am lift off schedule," Space Zone India Founder-CEO Anand Megalingam said. "It is more of a sounding rocket. It flew to an altitude of about 35 kms and right now my team is there to collect it as per our plan (since it is a reusable rocket)," he told PTI.
"Compared to an 89 degree inclination, we had launched the rocket with 70 degree inclination due to heavy wind and gusts," he explained on the launch from the mobile launch pad near the coast.
Mission RHUMI has been claimed to be the world's first mobile launch of a hybrid rocket.
Anand Megalingam has said that RHUMI is named after his son Rhumithran.
The rocket launched today carried three CUBE satellites designed to monitor and collect data on atmospheric conditions, including cosmic radiation intensity, UV radiation, air quality, among others.
It also deployed 50 different Pico satellites to study various aspects of atmospheric conditions like accelerometer readings, altitude, ozone levels, to understand the environmental dynamics.
"India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in space innovation, consistently launching groundbreaking missions that push the boundaries of what is possible. As our nation continues to advance in this crucial sector, the need for sustainable and cost-effective solutions becomes more pressing. Mission RHUMI 2024 is a direct response to this need," Megalingam said.
"By introducing a reusable hybrid rocket, we are not only reducing the financial burden of space exploration but minimising its environmental impact. This mission reflects our commitment to making space missions more accessible and sustainable for the future," he said.
Dubbed as 'Moon Man of India', the project director of India's Moon Mission "Chandrayaan", Mylswamy Annadurai, is the mentor for Space Zone India.
"The launch of hybrid rocket through our Hydraulic mobile launchpad is a first-of-its-kind initiative that sets a new benchmark in aerospace technology. This innovative system is designed to provide unparalleled flexibility and efficiency, allowing us to adapt to various launch scenarios with ease," Annadurai said on today's mission.
"With this cutting edge technology, Space Zone India is poised to revolutionise how we approach rocket launches, making them more dynamic and responsive to the needs of the future," Annadurai said.
Diversified conglomerate Martin Group of Companies has backed Space Zone India on its latest Mission RHUMI 2024 through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
"We are always on the lookout for innovative ventures that push the boundaries of technology and contribute to a better future. Our commitment to corporate social responsibility drives us to support cutting-edge advancements with the potential to transform industries and inspire students in rocket science and space technology," Martin Group Managing Director Jose Charles Martin said.
"Supporting Space Zone India aligns perfectly with our vision. Their dedication to sustainability and excellence in aerospace technology is truly inspiring. By supporting Mission RHUMI-2024, we are not only supporting a ground-breaking space mission but also enhancing the lives of future generations," he said on extending its support to Space Zone India.
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Cong takes swipe at PM over India not being part of US-led 'Pax Silica' grouping
New Delh (PTI) The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the "sharp downturn" in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to "our advantage if we had been part of this group".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India not being part of the group comes after the PM had enthusiastically posted on social media about a telephone call with his "once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC".
In a lengthy post on X, Ramesh said, "According to some news reports, the US has excluded India from a nine-nation initiative it has launched to reduce Chinese control on high-tech supply chains. The agreement is called Pax Silica, clearly as a counter to Pax Sinica. The nations included (for the moment at least) are the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia."
"Given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties since May 10th, 2025, it is perhaps not very surprising that India has not been included. Undoubtedly, it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group."
"This news comes a day after the PM had enthusiastically posted on his telephone call with his once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC," the Congress leader asserted.
The new US-led strategic initiative, rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies, has been launched to build a secure and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
According to the US State Department, the initiative called 'Pax Silica' aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
The initiative includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With the exception of India, all other QUAD countries -- Japan, Australia and the US -- are part of the new initiative.
New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20, focusing on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress'. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump on Thursday discussed ways to sustain momentum in the bilateral economic partnership in a phone conversation amid signs of the two sides inching closer to firming up a much-awaited trade deal.
The phone call between the two leaders came on a day Indian and American negotiators concluded two-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement that is expected to provide relief to India from the Trump administration's whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
In a social media post, Modi had described the conversation as "warm and engaging".
"We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi had said without making any reference to trade ties.
