New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday announced the successful static test of Skyroot Aerospace’s powerful KALAM 1200 solid rocket motor — a key step in developing the Vikram-1 launch vehicle.
The test was conducted at 9:05 am at the Static Test Complex of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota. ISRO described the achievement as “a major milestone” for India’s private space sector.
The KALAM 1200 is an 11-metre-long, 1.7-metre-diameter monolithic composite motor carrying 30 tonnes of solid propellant. It is the longest monolithic motor ever prepared at the Solid Propellant Plant in Sriharikota. ISRO engineers also designed a special test stand for the trial.
Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. is developing Vikram-1 under the Government of India’s Space Policy 2023, which encourages private players to leverage ISRO’s technical infrastructure and expertise to strengthen the country’s space economy.
“This is a significant leap in Vikram-1’s development,” ISRO posted on X, sharing details of the test.
The success comes days after ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan hailed the precision launch of the jointly developed NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite using an indigenously built GSLV rocket — calling it “one of the most precise launches ever.”
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