Latest news with #Vikram-1
India Today
27-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Video: Skyroot tests retro engine of Vikram-1 that will trigger stage separation
Skyroot Aerospace has successfully completed the developmental tests of the Vikram-1 rocket's retro motors as it steps closer to India's first privately built orbital rocket Hyderabad-based startup announced that all six firings of these retro engines met their target thrust and differential delay specifications, ensuring a smooth and reliable separation of the rocket's first stage during retro motors, the smallest solid propulsion units on the Vikram-1, play a crucial role in the vehicle's multi-stage retro motors successfully completed the developmental tests! The smallest solid motors on the vehicle they're vital for clean separation of Stage 1. Six firings confirm they are hitting all target thrust and differential delay specs for a smooth jettison. Skyroot Aerospace (@SkyrootA) May 27, 2025advertisement 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 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 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 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 Watch
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Skyroot successfully tests stage separation system for Vikram-1 rocket
Hyderabad: As spacetech startup Skyroot Aerospace gears up for the launch of India's first privately built orbital rocket , Vikram-1, into low Earth orbit (LEO) later this year, the company achieved yet another milestone. It successfully tested the stage separation system of the rocket. As part of this, the Hyderabad-based startup tested the separation of stage 2 of the rocket from stage 3. "Clean separation, smooth execution! Our team just nailed the stage separation test of Vikram-1. The ultra-low shock pneumatic separation system we developed in-house worked like a charm, smoothly separating Stage 2 from Stage 3 – in another boost to our journey to orbit!" Skyroot Aerospace said on social media platform X. "Imagine separating two rocket stages in space within a few milliseconds – without generating a shock – pulling them apart by 1.2 metres with just a few cms of clearance between the nozzle and internal fuel tanks and propelling the separating stage with enough energy to reach the required jettisoning velocity within 0.2 seconds. This is what it takes to separate rocket stages in the deep vacuum of space – and we've now qualified our proprietary stage separation and jettisoning system for flight. Another critical milestone on the path to the launch of Vikram-1," Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-founder & CEO, Skyroot Aerospace, announced on X. The latest test is part of the battery of tests conducted by Skyroot over the past couple of months in preparation for the launch of Vikram-1 later this year. These include the structural rigidity test of Kalam-1200, the carbon composite stage-1 motor that is touted as the longest monolithic motor casing developed in India using Skyroot's proprietary filament winding process. Kalam-1200 will propel Vikram-1 from the ground through the Earth's atmosphere. The startup also tested Raman 50N mini thrusters that will be integrated into Vikram-1's orbital adjustment module and provide pitch and yaw control during flight. Earlier in May this year, Skyroot also qualified Vikram-1's interstages, which are four load-bearing structures that will house the avionics, separation systems, and critical sensors and will play a key role in maintaining the structural integrity of the rocket throughout its ascent into orbit. In April this year, Skyroot also ran pre-flight tests on the mission computer of the launch vehicle as well as the composite nozzle and flex nozzle control system of Kalam-1200, the first stage of the rocket.
India Today
20-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Skyroot successfully tests stage separation, moves closer to Vikram-1 launch
Skyroot Aerospace has successfully conducted the crucial stage separation test using its in-house developed ultra-low shock pneumatic separation system. This brings the company a step closer to gettin ready for the launch of the privately developed Vikram-1 test, which verified the smooth and reliable separation of Stage 2 from Stage 3, marks a significant step forward for India's first privately designed and developed orbital-class launch pneumatic separation system, engineered to minimise mechanical shock during the separation process, performed flawlessly, ensuring the integrity of both rocket stages and technology is critical for the safe deployment of sensitive satellite payloads and enhances the reliability of Vikram-1's multi-stage architecture. The successful test boosts confidence as Skyroot prepares for the rocket's maiden orbital flight, expected later this separation, smooth execution!Our team just nailed the stage separation test of Vikram-1. The ultra-low shock pneumatic separation system we developed in-house worked like a charm, smoothly separating Stage 2 from Stage 3 — in another boost to our journey to orbit! Skyroot Aerospace (@SkyrootA) May 20, 2025Earlier, Skyroot's Raman Mini thrusters, designed to provide precise pitch and yaw control during flight, had also cleared their flight qualification 50N thrusters, made from high-performance alloys and featuring 3D-printed coaxial swirl injectors, demonstrated robust and consistent performance across all qualification complete, the thrusters are now ready for integration into Vikram-1's Orbital Adjustment Module, where they will play a vital role in fine-tuning the rocket's trajectory and ensuring accurate satellite part of the Vikram series named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, is designed to deliver up to 480 kg to low Earth orbit and 290 kg to sun-synchronous polar orbit, offering rapid assembly and launch capabilities from minimal mini to the max! Raman Mini thrusters for Vikram-1 came out all chambers blazing during the flight qualification. With the performance now proven, these 50N thrusters are ready to be integrated into the vehicle's Orbital Adjustment Module, and provide pitch/yaw control Skyroot Aerospace (@SkyrootA) May 14, 2025Its architecture features three solid propulsion stages and a liquid-fueled fourth stage powered by Raman engines, enabling multi-orbit insertion and cost-effective access to recent successes shows the rapid progress of India's private space sector and its growing ability to compete globally in small satellite launch the stage separation system and Raman Mini thrusters now flight-proven, Vikram-1 is on track to launch into space with customer Watch
