SYLLABUS

GS-3: General awareness in the fields of Space.

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated Skyroot’s Infinity Campus in Hyderabad, Telangana. 

More on the News

• The Prime Minister also unveiled Skyroot’s first orbital rocket, Vikram-I, with the capability to launch satellites to orbit.

• He underscored that India’s Space reforms—opening the space sector for private players, establishing IN-SPACe, and enabling startup participation—are transforming the country into a major global space launch hub.

• He highlighted government efforts to strengthen research through the National Research Foundation, One Nation One Subscription, and the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund.

• The Prime Minister reaffirmed that India aims to scale its launch capacity and create five new space-sector unicorns in the next five years.

Skyroot’s Infinity Campus

• The Infinity Campus was inaugurated as a state-of-the-art facility designed to support end-to-end development of launch vehicles.

• The facility represents the growing capability of private space companies in India and reflects the country’s shift toward an open and innovation-led space ecosystem.

• The campus is expected to accelerate design, integration, testing, and manufacturing processes for orbital rockets, strengthening India’s private launch infrastructure.

Vikram-I Rocket 

• Vikram-I, Skyroot’s first orbital rocket represents a major milestone in India’s private spaceflight capability, following the success of Skyroot’s earlier sub-orbital mission.

• Vikram-I is designed for launching small satellites, addressing growing global demand and increasing launch frequencies across the world.

• The Vikram-I rocket is the first in the Vikram series and consists of three solid-fuel stages, each with a burn time of about 80 to 100 seconds.

• The fourth and final stage uses the Raman engine, which operates on Monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and Nitrogen Tetroxide (NTO) liquid propellants in a cluster of four engines.

• o The Raman engine cluster produces a total thrust of 3.4 kN and is used for precise orbital adjustments during the final phase of the mission.

• The rocket is designed to place a 290 kg payload into a 500 km Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit.

It can also lift a 480 kg payload to a 45° inclined Low Earth Orbit at 500 km altitude.

• The launch of Vikram-II is scheduled for 2026. 

Source:
Business Outreach
PM India
PIB