Vikram (rocket family)
| Function | Small-lift launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Skyroot Aerospace |
| Country of origin | India |
| Size | |
| Height | Vikram I: 20 m (66 ft) |
| Stages | 4 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO (500 km @ 45° inclination) | |
| Mass |
|
| Payload to SSPO (500 km) | |
| Mass |
|
| Associated rockets | |
| Comparable | Electron, Kaituozhe-1, SSLV |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Under development |
| Launch sites | Satish Dhawan Space Centre |
| Total launches | Vikram-S: 1 (sub-orbital) |
| Success(es) | 1 (sub-orbital) |
| First flight | 18 November 2022 (suborbital) |
| First stage (Vikram I) | |
| Powered by | Kalam 1000 |
| Maximum thrust | 1,000 kN (220,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Second stage (Vikram I) | |
| Powered by | Kalam 250 |
| Maximum thrust | 250 kN (56,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Third stage (Vikram I) | |
| Powered by | Kalam 100 |
| Maximum thrust | 100 kN (22,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Fourth stage (Vikram I) | |
| Powered by | 4 x Raman I |
| Maximum thrust | 3.4 kN (760 lbf) |
| Propellant | N2O4/MMH |
The Vikram (Sanskrit: Vikram, lit. 'Brave'; Namesake: Vikram Sarabhai[1]) is a family of small-lift launch vehicles being developed by Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian startup aerospace company.
Before a full orbital launch, a suborbital flight of rocket designated "Vikram-S" was performed on 18 November 2022 by the name of mission Prarambh (lit. 'beginning').[2][3]
Vehicle Description
| Launch Vehicle | Payload capacity | First flight | Total launches | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSPO (500 km) |
Low Earth orbit (500 km; 45°) | |||
| Vikram-S (Suborbital) | - | - | 18 November 2022 | 1 |
| Vikram I | 290 kg (640 lb) | 480 kg (1,060 lb) | Q3 2023 (est.) | 0 |
| Vikram II | 400 kg (880 lb) | 595 kg (1,312 lb) | TBD | 0 |
| Vikram III | 560 kg (1,230 lb) | 815 kg (1,797 lb) | TBD | 0 |
Vikram I
The Vikram I, first rocket in the series, has three solid fuel-powered stages each with a burn time ranging between 80 and 100 seconds and the final stage is Raman engine. The Raman engine is powered by MMH and NTO liquid fuels in a cluster of four engines that generate 3.4 kN thrust. These Raman Engines will be used to do final adjustments in the orbit of the stage.[5] Vikram I is designed to lift 290 kg to a 500 km Sun synchronous polar orbit (SSPO) and 480 kg to 45º inclination in a 500 km low Earth orbit (LEO).[6][7]
Development and Testing
- On 12 August 2020, Skyroot Aerospace successfully tested Vikram 1 launch vehicle's upper stage engine "Raman".[8]
- On 21 September 2020, Several Ballistic Evaluation Motors (BEM) were fired to fine tune and qualify Vikram-1 Solid Stage Propellant formulation.[9]
- On 22 December 2020, Skyroot conducted a successful test firing of a Solid rocket stage demonstrator 'Kalam-5'.[10] The test was conducted at Solar Industries in Nagpur at 3 pm. The test cleared a 24 seconds long duration demonstration, achieving a peak thrust of 5.3 kN.[11]
- On 20 June 2021, Vikram 1's third stage (Kalam-100) successfully completed the Proof Pressure Test (PPT).[12]
- On 19 May 2022, has announced the successful completion of a full duration test-firing of its ‘Vikram-1’ rocket stage, representing a major milestone for the company. Named ‘Kalam-100’ after former president and the renowned Indian rocket scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the third stage of ‘Vikram-1’ produces a peak vacuum thrust of 100 kN (or ~10 Tons) and has a burn time of 108 sec. The rocket stage has been built with high-strength carbon fiber structure, solid fuel, novel thermal protection system, and carbon ablative nozzle. This testing will help Skyroot in development of orbital vehicle Vikram-1 and gives great confidence for the other rocket stages planned to be tested soon. This is best in class rocket stage of this size, with record propellant loading and firing duration and using all carbon composite structure for delivering best performance. This is largest rocket stage ever designed, manufactured, and tested completely in the private sector. There was a good match of test results with the design predictions in the very first attempt, which is a testimony to the team's capabilities. The state-of-the-art technology like carbon composite case, high propellant volumetric loading up to 94%, lighter EPDM based thermal protection system, and submerged nozzle have been validated through the successful static test.[13][14] The video of the firing[15]
Vikram-s - On 18 November 2022, Skyroot Aerospace performed the maiden launch of the Vikram-S suborbital rocket, carrying payloads for Space Kidz, Bazoomq and N-Space Tech.[16] The flight was successful and the rocket reached an apogee of 89.5 km, making Skyroot Aerospace the first Indian private company to reach outer space.[17]
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See also
- Skyroot Aerospace
- Vikram S
- Bellatrix Aerospace
- Indian Space Research Organisation
- Small-lift launch vehicle
- Launch vehicle
- Space industry of India
References
- ^ "Launch Vehicle | Skyroot Aerospace". 10 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ Skyroot Aerospace [@SkyrootA] (18 November 2022). "89.5 Kms peak altitude achieved. Vikram-S rocket meets all flight parameters. It's history in the making for India" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ *Tripathi, Sibu (8 November 2022). "India's first private sector rocket Vikram-S to launch in November: Here's what we know". India Today. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
- "India's first private space launch startup Skyroot succeeds with upper-stage engine fire test". TechCrunch. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- "India's first private player to successfully test a homegrown rocket engine is on track for its first full rocket launch by 2021". Business Insider. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ "Launch Vehicle". Skyroot Aerospace. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
- ^ Scientist, Gareeb (1 July 2020). "The SpaceX's of India | Private Indian Rocket Companies | Skyroot | Agnikul | Bellatrix". YouTube.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "India's first-ever privately designed and developed rocket is a step closer to becoming a reality in 2021". Business Insider. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ "With ISRO assistance, India's Skyroot Aerospace aims maiden rocket launch by Dec-2021". WION. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ Narasimhan, T. E. (12 August 2020). "Skyroot Aerospace first private company to test upper stage rocket engine". Business Standard India. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ Vikram-I Solid Stage BEM Firing, retrieved 21 January 2022
- ^ "Another outstanding success! In an India's first by a private company and a major milestone for us, we are thrilled to announce successful test firing of our first solid rocket propulsion stage demonstrator: Kalam-5". Twitter. Retrieved 21 January 2022.[self-published]
- ^ Skyroot Aerospace: Kalam-5 Solid Rocket Motor Test Fire, retrieved 21 January 2022
- ^ "In a major milestone, we successfully completed the Proof Pressure Test (PPT) of Vikram-1's 3rd stage 'Kalam-100'". Twitter. Retrieved 21 January 2022.[self-published]
- ^ Skyroot successfully test fires space launch vehicle ‘Vikram-1’ rocket stage, retrieved 19 May 2022
- ^ Indian launch startup Skyroot successfully completes full-duration stage test, retrieved 19 May 2022
- ^ Static Fire Test, Vikram-1 Stage 3, Kalam-100, retrieved 19 May 2022
- ^ Skyroot Aerospace [@SkyrootA] (17 November 2022). "Mission set. Happy to announce the authorization received from IN-SPACe yesterday for 18 November '22, 11:30 AM, after final checks on readiness and weather. Here's our #Prarambh mission brochure for you. Watch this space for the launch live link" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Skyroot Aerospace [@SkyrootA] (18 November 2022). "89.5 Kms peak altitude achieved. Vikram-S rocket meets all flight parameters. It's history in the making for India" (Tweet) – via Twitter.