Kalam-250

Kalam-250

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Space technology

Context: Leading space-tech company Skyroot Aerospace on Wednesday successfully test red the stage-2 of its Vikram-1 launch vehicle at the propulsion testbed of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh

What is Kalam-250?

• It is a stage-2 of Vikram-1 space launch vehicle.
• It is a high-strength carbon composite rocket motor, which uses solid fuel and a high-performance Ethylene-Propylene-Diene terpolymers (EPDM) thermal protection system (TPS).
• The stage includes a carbon ablative flex nozzle along with high-precision electro-mechanical actuators for thrust vector control of the vehicle, aiding in achieving the desired trajectory.
• The solid propellant in Kalam-250 was processed by Solar Industries at their Nagpur facility.
• The second stage of Vikram-1 will play a crucial role in the ascent of the launch vehicle, propelling it from the atmosphere to the deep vacuum of outer space.

Key features of Vikram-1 Rocket:

• It is a multi-stage launch vehicle with a capacity to place around 300 kg of payloads in low-earth orbit.
• It has been built by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace.
• It is an all-carbon-fibre-bodied rocket that can place multiple satellites into orbit.
• Being a solid-fuel rocket and using relatively simpler technologies would mean that launching this vehicle would

Vikram-1

Vikram-1 launch will be a landmark event for the Indian space sector as it will be the country’s first private orbital rocket launch.

Features of Vikram-S launch vehicle-

• Skyroot was 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”.