Tech

India’s First Reusable Hybrid Rocket ‘RHUMI-1’ Successfully Launched

Finally, the event became history on Saturday. It was the first time in Indian history that a startup powered by the base at Tamil Nadu, Space Zone, teamed up with the Martin Group and created India’s first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI-1. It was a totally mobile launcher from the TTDC Ground in Thiruvidandhai, ECR, Chennai.

R-HUMI-1 carried three CubeSats and 50 PICO satellites on a suborbital trajectory. This mission is intended to provide the much-needed data for global warming and climate change. The rocket, powered by a hi-fax generic-fuel-based hybrid motor and electrically triggered parachute deployer, is 100% pyrotechnic free inside and contains no TNT.

Anand Megalingam, Founder and CEO of Space Zone, said the increase in demand for small satellites at Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in India fueled the company’s focus in capturing the small satellite market with Hybrid Propulsion at a less cost-effective model.

Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, known as the Moon Man of India and who headed ISAC until a month ago, was the leader of RHUMI. Megalingam was its Mission Director. Controllable from 0° to 120°, which makes the RHUMI-1 missile fine-tuned and gives precision in controlling its trajectory.

One of the distinct features of the rocket, as reported by sources, is its innovative and eco-friendly descent mechanism that recovers the rocket components safely. Utilizing a variety of both liquid and solid fuel propellant systems, the RHUMI-1 rocket aims to maximize efficiency, minimize operational costs associated with space flights, and promote environmental safety.

Beyond space analysis, RHUMI-1 has applications is based on agricultural data, monitoring of environment, and disaster management applications. The reusability of the rocket is set to cut the cost of entering space by a half, thus, cutting and opening new business ventures will be possible. Customers who utilize Satellite technology will get to connect directly with their devices.

In February of 2023, headlines were made when Spice Zone, India, launched the atomic research center that was located in Kalpakkam, in the State of Tamil Nadu, onboard India’s first ever hybrid rocket.

The company has developed several rockets, including RHUMI-1, 2, and 3 for several altitudes, beginning from 1 km up to 500 km. The company also developed portable ground support equipment to handle the launching rockets and thus easily move them from one location to another without great complications of transportation.

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Next up, Space Zone would be on the lookout for investors looking forward to being strapped on the next lot of rockets to launch in the project of innovating space technology and growing their space market share.