India is pushing ahead with its ambitious space program: The first rocket developed by a local company is now taking off in the south of the country. Prime Minister Modi already sees his country as a “space superpower”.
The state Indian space organization ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) has launched a rocket developed by a local private company into space for the first time. The mission “Prarambh” (beginning) launched from the space center in Sriharikota was successful, ISRO announced on Twitter.
The Vikram-S rocket, weighing 545 kilos and six meters long, was developed by the Indian startup Skyroot Aerospace, reported the local television station NDTV. As planned, you have reached a height of 89.5 kilometers. This is the internationally recognized limit of space and is 100 kilometers above sea level. After six minutes of flight, the rocket fell safely into the sea.
In 2020, the Indian government changed regulations and allowed private companies to use the infrastructure of the space agency ISRO. Cooperation with start-ups and generally with the private sector should also be promoted. Indian Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, who was present at the rocket launch, called the mission a “historic landmark” and a turning point for Indian startups.
India has been pursuing an ambitious space program for several years; Prime Minister Narendra Modi already sees his country as a “space superpower”. Among other things, India successfully launched a probe into Mars orbit in September 2014.