Vikram-S: India’s First Privately developed Rocket

Vikram-S: Why Important for UPSC Exam?

Vikram-S: It is India’s First Privately developed Rocket. Vikram-S has been developed with the Support of ISRO and IN-SPACe Agencies. Vikram-S is important for UPSC Prelims Exam (Science and Tech current affairs) and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 3- Indigenization of science and technology).

 

 

Vikram-S: Why in News?

• Vikram-S, India’s first privately developed rocket, is poised to create history as it undergoes final preparations at the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) launchpad in Sriharikota.
  • Vikram-S is set for launch between November 12 and 16.

What is Vikram-S?- Key Features

• About: Vikram-S is a privately developed rocket engine by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace.
• Development: Vikram-S is being developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace with support from ISRO and IN-SPACe.
• Parent Mission: The skyroot has named the mission as ‘Prarambh’ (the beginning) — since it is the first mission for the company.
• Significance: With this maiden mission, Skyroot is set to become the first private space company in India to launch a rocket into space, heralding a new era for the space sector.
  • Space Sector was recently opened up to facilitate private sector participation by the government.

What is Skyroot Aerospace?

• Skyroot, a two-time national award winner, is the first start-up to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ISRO to launch a rocket into space.
• Skyroot Aerospace has so far raised $68 million and it is India’s most funded private space startup.
• It is among the first companies to locally build fully 3D-printed rocket engines and successfully testing the same in November last year.

 

What is IN-SPACe?

• IN-SPACe is an autonomous and single window nodal agency in the Department of Space for the promotion, encouragement and regulation of space activities of both government and private entities.
• IN-SPACe will act as a single window, independent nodal agency to take care of all the needs of the private sector.
• It also facilitates the usage of ISRO facilities by private entities.
• The establishment of IN-SPACe was announced in June 2020.

Need for Privatization of Space Sector in India

• The global space industry is valued at 400 billion US dollars and has a potential to become a 1 trillion-dollar industry by 2040.
• India needs to increase its share in the global space industry and the private sector will play a big role in that.
• New fields like space tourism and space diplomacy need to be explored to walk shoulder to shoulder with the other advanced nations.
• India is working on a New Indian Space Policy for coordinating between government companies, space industries, start-ups and institutions.

 

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