India’s space agency on Friday successfully launched the Vikram-S, a privately developed rocket, providing a major boost to the government’s ambition of developing a domestic space ecosystem under the auspices of public-private partnership.
The single-stage, spin-stabilized solid propellant rocket touched a peak altitude of 89.9km gaining a speed of Mach 5 - ie, five times the speed of sound - to place three customer payloads, including one from a customer outside India, at the designated orbit.
“All systems worked as planned…This is a new beginning for the Indian private sector entering into space and it is a historic moment for all of us,” Pawan Goenka, head of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), said.
India’s Science & Technology minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who attended the launch, described it as a new beginning in the story of India's space program.
“It is a major step forward for India to develop its own rockets and a turning point in India's start-up movement. Well done, Skyroot," Singh said.
Skyroot, set up by young engineers of the Indian Institute of Technology, is seeking both commercial and government customers, with a focus on global clients. It is now developing its flagship Vikram I orbital vehicle to be launched next year.
India at present accounts for less than one percent of the $17Bln global satellite launch market, given that it has yet to fully acquire the capacity to launch 4-ton+ communication satellite.