Elon Musk-owned SpaceX is the only company in the world that has the technology to reuse the same rocket for multiple launches. Space Zone India attempted to emulate the same technology but on a small scale. The company has built an innovative, cost-effective, and eco-friendly descent mechanism that will ensure the safe recovery of rocket components. Reusability enables space companies to refly the most expensive parts of the rocket. This, in turn, will lower the cost of launches.
Equipped with a generic-fuel-based hybrid motor and electrically triggered parachute deployer, the rocket is 100% pyrotechnic- and TNT-free. “The demand for small satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is increasing in India. This prompted the company to focus on capturing the small satellite market while employing a hybrid propulsion system to ensure cost-effectiveness,” said Anand Megalingam, founder and CEO of Space Zone in a company post. Space Zone India launched the reusable rocket in collaboration with Martin Group, which is funding the startup.
Mylswamy Annadurai, the former project director of Isro’s Chandrayaan-1 mission, is the startup’s mentor.
Speaking to TOI, Annadurai, who witnessed the launch, said, “Happy to see that the next generation is ready to take the path less travelled and has the courage to explore the unexplored.” He also said, “The launch of the hybrid rocket through our hydraulic mobile launchpad is a first-of-its-kind initiative that sets a new benchmark in aerospace technology. This innovative system is designed to provide unparalleled flexibility and efficiency, allowing us to adapt to various launch scenarios with ease.”
The RHUMI-1 rocket combines both liquid and solid fuel propellant systems, which will not only improve efficiency and reduce operational costs but will also ensure environmental safety.
In February 2023, Space Zone India made history by launching India’s first hybrid rocket, witnessed by Isro scientists, from the Atomic Research Centre in Kalpakkam. The company has developed various rockets like RHUMI-1, RHUMI-2, and RHUMI-3, each tailored for altitudes ranging from 1 km to 500 km. Additionally, the company also designed and developed its own ground-supporting equipment for rocket launches, creating portable launch systems that can easily be moved from one location to another.