place Start-up Skyroot Aerospace on Tuesday unveiled its indigenously built Vikram-1 The rocket is expected to deliver the satellite into low Earth orbit early next year.
Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also inaugurated the start-up’s new headquarters ‘The Max-Q Campus’ at GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park in Mamidipalli, South Hyderabad.
Singh visited skyroot The headquarters spans over 60,000 square feet and is billed as the country’s largest private rocket development facility under one roof.
Vikram-1 is a multi-stage launch vehicle capable of placing a payload of about 300 kg into low earth orbit. It’s an all-carbon-fiber-bodied rocket that can put multiple satellites into orbit and has a 3D-printed liquid engine. Scheduled for launch in early 2024, Vikram-I will be Skyroute’s second rocket, after the successful launch of the Vikram-S rocket on November 18 last year.
Skyroot’s new headquarters includes integrated design, manufacturing and testing facilities and design space for building space launch vehicles for a 300-member strong workforce. “Every rocket, during its journey into space, has to pass through a point of maximum stress called ‘Max-Q’. Our MAX-Q headquarters serves as a strong symbol of our unwavering commitment to push the boundaries and accomplish the extraordinary, our mission. Open space is for everyone,” said Pawan Chandana, co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace.
“Skyroot is not only an example of India’s superior talent and scientific acumen, but also a message to all of us that a huge potential lay dormant for decades before Prime Minister Narendra Modi came along and opened up India’s past taboos. Space sector for public private partnership (PPP),” said Singh. Bharath Dhaka, co-founder and COO of SkyRoot said, “It was a very proud moment to unveil the Vikram-1 space launch vehicle on the same day as the inauguration of the company’s new headquarters.
“Our design expertise and state-of-the-art indigenous technology have been integral to the development of Vikram-1. As we eagerly prepare for the launch in early 2024, we will continue to share further updates on the orbital mission with Vikram-1,” Dhaka said.