Video: Skyroot tests retro engine of Vikram-1 that will trigger stage separation
During ascent, these motors fire to decelerate the spent first stage, enabling a clean jettison and minimizing the risk of collision or debris between stages. This stage separation is a critical maneuver in any multi-stage rocket, directly impacting mission reliability and the safety of payload deployment.Skyroot's recent tests, conducted as part of a broader series of qualification campaigns, included six successful static firings. Each test validated the motors' ability to deliver precise thrust and timing, both vital for ensuring that the first stage separates cleanly from the rest of the rocket.The company emphasised that these results mark a major step forward in preparing the Vikram-1 for its maiden orbital flight, expected later this year."In that critical window, precision takes over: four jettison motors start firing in perfect sync within milliseconds, delivering nearly 10 tons of retro thrust for about a second to counter residual force and cleanly push Stage-1 toward Earth, avoiding collision with Stage-2. This precise maneuver minimizes the no-control zone, ensuring a smooth transition before Stage-2 ignites and takes command of the mission," Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace said.advertisementThe Vikram-1, designed to deliver up to 480 kg to low Earth orbit, features three solid propulsion stages and advanced systems for stage separation and trajectory control. With the retro motors now flight-proven, Skyroot is one step closer to joining the ranks of private companies capable of launching satellites into orbit—a landmark for India's burgeoning private space sector.Must Watch
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Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
RPCAU develops 3 maize varities suited for Bihar's conditions
1 2 3 Patna: In a major stride for agricultural innovation, scientists at Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) have unveiled three new maize varieties poised to transform maize cultivation across eastern India. The newly introduced varieties include, Rajendra Baby Corn-1 – a region-specific baby corn hybrid tailored for Bihar's agro-climatic conditions; Rajendra Pop Corn-1 – a high-yielding popcorn hybrid, and Shaktiman-5 – a biofortified quality protein maize. Developed by the maize breeding team at Tirhut College of Agriculture (TCA), Dholi, Rajendra Baby Corn-1 is expected to offer a profitable and sustainable crop alternative for small and marginal farmers. "Baby corn enjoys strong market demand, particularly in urban areas and food processing industries. However, a hybrid suited to Bihar's unique conditions was missing. Our aim was to bridge that gap," said maize scientist Ajay Kumar. What makes this hybrid exceptional is its short growing duration and ready to harvest in just two months and its ability to produce 12 to 15 quintals per hectare of fresh baby corn, along with 200–300 quintals per hectare of green fodder, making it a dual-purpose crop. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Experts believe that this innovation can significantly contribute to the state's goal of crop diversification, doubling farmers' income, and establishing agro-processing linkages. For farmers seeking quick returns, nutrition, and market potential, Rajendra Baby Corn-1 is not just a variety — it's an opportunity. The Rajendra Pop Corn-1 variety is specially tailored for Bihar's agro-climatic conditions. It offers farmers an attractive alternative to traditional grain maize, with the added advantage of tapping into the growing demand for packaged popcorn in urban markets. This hybrid variety matures in just 80 to 90 days, making it suitable for Rabi and late Kharif seasons. It yields up to 30-40 quintals per hectare, outperforming several existing varieties. Most impressively, it boasts a popping expansion ratio of 34–36 cc/g and a popping percentage of over 95%, producing soft, butterfly-type flakes ideal for commercial sale. The biofortified 'Shaktiman-5' variety offers a unique solution to a dual challenge faced in eastern India: protein malnutrition and low farm returns. It has been bred to contain elevated levels of lysine and tryptophan, essential amino acids often lacking in conventional maize. These nutrients are vital for human growth, immune function, and child development, particularly in regions where cereals dominate the diet. Beyond its agronomic merits, Shaktiman-5 is aligned with key national priorities such as PoshanAbhiyan, the National Biofortification Mission, and the Public Distribution System (PDS). It as an ideal food for mid-day meal schemes, anganwadi nutrition programmes, and livestock feed improvement, said RPCAU vice-chancellor P S Pandey. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
JSW Cement cuts IPO size to Rs 3,600 cr; public offer to open on August 7
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
US-based Indian founder calls 80-hour workweek a ‘baseline,' says without 14+ hours a day, 'you won't make it'
Neha Suresh, an Indian entrepreneur in San Francisco, ignited a debate with her tweet about long work hours. Her view on 80-hour weeks drew both support and criticism. Some people admired her dedication. Others questioned the sustainability and impact on mental health. The discussion highlights the ongoing tension between hard work and well-being in today's work culture. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Internet Weighs In: Passion or Pressure? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Old Argument, New Voices: Is Long-Hour Hustle the Only Way? Is It Really the Hours Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Founders Can Grind, But What About Teams? The Middle Ground? Drive With Boundaries A brief, silent clip showing two founders working side by side in a minimalist home office may not scream controversy — but in today's age of hustle culture discourse, it doesn't take much to stir a exactly what happened when San Francisco-based Indian entrepreneur Neha Suresh shared a fast-forwarded video on X (formerly Twitter) of herself and her co-founder Akash grinding away at their desks. Accompanying the video was a caption that quickly lit up social media timelines:'If you're not spending 14+ hours a day working on your dream you're ngmi. You can't build a world-changing product on 9–5 energy. 80-hour weeks aren't extreme. It's baseline.'It was part motivation, part manifesto. And for many online, it was a red hours, Neha's tweet had gathered hundreds of reactions. While some admired her dedication, others questioned the sustainability and implications of her words.'I love the passion and dedication you bring to your dreams, Neha,' wrote one commenter. 'But I'm not sure 14 hours a day is sustainable for everyone.''I burned out chasing 80-hour weeks,' said another. 'I actually build better products when I'm rested and thinking clearly.'Many critics pointed out that such messaging may unintentionally glorify overwork and perpetuate toxic workplace expectations — especially if taken beyond the founder level and applied to tweet is the latest ripple in a much broader global conversation — one that's been reignited time and again in recent months. Just last year, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy urged India's youth to work 70 hours a week to help the country catch up with global productivity . His statement, while intended as a wake-up call, sparked widespread backlash for allegedly overlooking the mental health toll and work-life imbalance it could British VC Harry Stebbings, known for his podcast 20VC, claimed earlier this year that 'seven days a week is the required velocity to win right now' — a comment that was both applauded for its realism and criticized for pushing an unhealthy Silicon Valley to Shanghai, the pressure to be always 'on' is often sold as a prerequisite to success — a narrative echoed in China's notorious '996' work culture (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week), which many blame for burnout , yet credit for explosive tech some argue that success requires relentless hours, others emphasize how those hours an episode of the podcast For a Change, neurologist Dr. Sid Warrier offered a more nuanced view. Drawing from his own experience, he explained: 'When I'm working in my own hospital, I can be there 24/7, but because it's my thing, my brain doesn't register it as work.' In contrast, an employee doing the same hours without personal investment might experience high stress and rapid burnout.'It's not really about work or not work. It's about stress and no stress,' he explained. Passion and purpose , according to Warrier, play a far bigger role in sustainability than sheer clocked-in where the conversation gets more complex. Founders like Neha may genuinely thrive on 80-hour weeks. But does promoting that rhythm as the only path to success put undue pressure on teams? Critics were quick to draw this line.'If this applies only to you founders, then it's okay. But don't generalize an 80-hour per week work culture,' a user responded on Neha's post. Another pointed out that overwork might not even lead to better output: 'Stopping 9-5 to start 24/7. But the vibe is really different, for sure.'Others made a case for smarter funding rather than longer hours. 'If a 10-person team is burning out to keep up with a 50-person VC-backed startup, the problem isn't effort — it's the cap table,' noted Sarah Wernér, co-founder of Husmus, in an interview with CNBC Make be clear, Neha's post wasn't without supporters. Some saw it as a wake-up call in an increasingly comfort-seeking culture. 'There's real truth in going all-in and putting in the hours to build something extraordinary,' wrote one Stebbings, while advocating hard work, drew a line at sacrificing mental health. 'I'm not saying miss dinner with friends or sit at your desk all day,' he told CNBC. He, too, spoke of balance — walking marathons with his ailing mother on Sundays, before returning to Suresh's now-viral post may not have intended to stir debate, but it's clear the world isn't done discussing hustle culture — especially at a time when mental health, fairness, and work-life integration are being redefined.
