The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
is all set to make history on Friday when it launches first-ever private
rocket, setting a new milestone in the 75 years journey of independent
India.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology
Dr Jitendra Singh, who will be personally present in Sriharikota to
witness the historic maiden private launch of Vikram-suborbital (VKS)
rocket 1130 hrs tomorrow, in a statement said, this will be a major
milestone in the journey of ISRO, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi
had unlocked the Space Sector in India two years ago for private
participation.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the Non-Government Entity/ StartUp,
Skyroot Aerospace Pvt Ltd (SAPL) has developed the VKS
rocket, which is a single stage spin stabilised solid propellant
rocket with a lift off mass of about 550 kg.
He said, the rocket goes to the max altitude of 101 km and
splashes into the sea and the overall flight duration will last
only 300 seconds.
Dr Jitendra Singh said Skyroot was the first StartUp to sign
a MoU with ISRO for launching its rockets. Apart from being
the nation’s first private launch, it will also be the maiden
mission of Skyroot Aerospace, named “Prarambh”.
It will carry a total of three payloads in space, including one
from the foreign customers.
The Minister said it will provide a level playing field for cost
efficient satellite launch services by disrupting the entry
barriers and will also help the start-ups to make spaceflights
affordable and reliable.
“Space reforms have unleashed innovative potentials of
StartUps and within a short span of time, from a couple
of Space Start-ups three-four years back, today we have
102 start-ups working in cutting-edge areas of space
debris management, nano-satellite, launch vehicle,
ground systems, research etc”, he added.
The Minister said with the integration of R&D, academia
and Industry with equal stake, it is safe to say that a
Space Revolution led by ISRO along with the private
sector and Start-ups is on the horizon.
Dr Jitendra Singh underlined that Modi has enabled India
to earn universal recognition for India’s science, technology,
innovation capabilities and our StartUps are much sought
after.
The whole world is looking at India as an inspirational place,
as it is helping budding countries in capacity building and
satellite building including nanosatellites, he said.
Referring to applications of Space Technology to different
sectors like Railways, Highways, Agriculture, Water Mapping,
Smart Cities, Telemedicine and Robotic Surgery, which
brought ‘ease of living’ for common man, Dr Jitendra Singh
said similar applications of Atomic Energy in areas like
Nuclear Agriculture and Crop Improvement, Agri-Tech for
plant and soil health and Radiation technologies for food
preservation, radiation processing of fruits and vegetables
and radiation-based technologies for augmenting crop
growth and water conservation are perfect examples of
developmental mandate of Space and Atomic Energy
sectors from their traditional roles of Satellite launch
and production of clean energy.
