All you need to know about Vikram S and why it is a big deal

Subject: Science and Technology

Context-

India’s first privately developed launch vehicle is set to make its maiden flight from Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) launchpad at Sriharikota.

Mission Prarambh-

Under this mission, Vikram-S will carry 3 customer satellites in a sub-orbital flight.
Sub-orbital flights travel slower than orbital velocity — they are fast enough to reach outer space but not fast enough to stay in orbit around the Earth.
Also, Spacekidz, a Chennai-based aerospace startup, will fly ‘Fun-Sat’, a 2.5 kg payload developed by students from India, the US, Singapore and Indonesia, on Vikram-S.

Features of Vikram-S launch vehicle-

Skyrootwas the first startup to sign a memorandum of understanding with ISRO for launching its rockets.
Its launch vehicles have been crafted especially for the small satellite market.
They come in three forms, Vikram I, II, and III.
More than 20,000 small satellites are estimated to be launched in the coming decade, and the Vikram series is designed to enable this through unprecedented mass production and affordability.
Vikram-S offers many services like multi-orbit insertion, and interplanetary missions; while providing customised, dedicated and ride-share options covering a wide spectrum of small satellite customer needs.
Skyroot claims a Vikam rocket can be assembled and launched within 24 hours from any launch site and has the “lowest cost in the payload segment”.

The need for satellite launch vehicles like Vikram-

Demand for the launch of small satellites ( anything weighing between 5 and 1,000 kg) has increased rapidly in the last 8-10 years.
Major customers of small satellite launches are- businesses, government agencies, and even universities and laboratories due to the ever-growing need for space-based data, communication, surveillance, imageries, space technology, commerce, weather, agriculture, transport and urban development.

Need for participation of private sector-

Currently, only ISRO is providing the satellite launch facility, but the increasing demand is outrunning its capacity.
So, the sector is being opened up to private players, with ISRO helping them with facilities and knowledge.
Recently the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO’s lead centre for the development of launch vehicles, facilitated the hot testing of a rocket engine developed by Indian space startup Agnikul Cosmos.