India Successfully Launches Its First Reusable Hybrid Rocket ‘RHUMI-1’
New Delhi: India is poised to make a significant leap in space technology with the launch of its first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI 1, developed by the Tamil Nadu-based start-up Space Zone India. Scheduled for August 24, 2024, at 7 am, this landmark launch will take place from Thiruvidandhai in Chennai, utilizing a mobile launcher. The rocket will carry three Cube Satellites and 50 PICO Satellites to a suborbital trajectory, marking a critical milestone in India’s space exploration efforts.
This launch is the result of a collaborative effort between Space Zone India and the Martin Group, marking their third partnership. Their previous collaborations include the ‘Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Students Satellite Launch – 2023’ mission, which saw over 2,500 students from across India design and build a student satellite launch vehicle, carrying a payload of 150 Pico satellite research experiment cubes. Earlier, in 2021, the ‘Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Space Research Payload Cubes Challenge’ successfully launched 100 FEMTO satellites developed by 1,200 students.
The RHUMI 1 rocket is notable for its innovative design, featuring a hybrid propulsion system that combines solid fuel with liquid oxidizer technologies, ensuring environmental safety. Additionally, the rocket’s angle of launch can be precisely adjusted between 0 to 120 degrees, allowing for accurate trajectory control.
Beyond its space exploration capabilities, RHUMI 1’s applications extend to critical fields such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. The Cube Satellites onboard will monitor atmospheric conditions, while the PICO Satellites will analyze environmental factors, contributing to a deeper understanding of atmospheric dynamics.
Anand Megalingam, Founder and CEO of Space Zone India, emphasized the reusability of the rocket, highlighting its potential to offer a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to satellite launches.
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