India launches its first reusable hybrid rocket RHUMI. Here's what it does
A screengrab showing the launch of the RHUMI rocket.
India on Saturday (Aug 24) launched itsfirst reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI 1. The rocket has been developed by the Tamil Nadu-based start-up Space Zone India and Martin Group.
The rocketwas launched from Thiruvidandhai in Chennaiusing a mobile launcher. The rocket carries threeCube Satellites and 50 PICO Satellites into a suborbital trajectory.
The launch
The rocket was launched around7:00 am (local time) on Saturday.
“It is a 3.5-metre tall rocket and was launched at about 7.25 am from the earlier 7 am lift-off schedule,” Space Zone India Founder-CEO Anand Megalingam told the news agency PTI.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
IAF's Jaguar fighter jet has no ejection seat auto-activation! What does it mean for pilots?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet 5 Indian batters with most Test runs against England, Sunil Gavaskar leads the chart
)
Scientists stumbled upon four pitch-black eggs 20,000 feet below ocean. They turned out to be...
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can India’s Rafale evade Iran’s air defence system after being exposed by B-2 bombers?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
This $20 billion fighter jet will be built to win any war! Meet Boeing's F-47
)
The ultimate aerial powerhouses revealed: Meet the top 10 best fighter jets in the world for 2025
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Top 6 fighter jets that became the biggest disasters in aviation history
)
10,000 Ontario college layoffs, 600 programmes scrapped: Canada education is hurting, and there may be an India connection
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Russia’s MiG-41 vs China’s J-36: sixth-generation fighter jets signal a terrifying new era of warfare
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
This fighter jet could fly at the edge of space and it's not American...
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Sukhoi Su-57 to MiG-35: 5 most powerful Russian fighter jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From BCCI to ECB: Top 5 richest cricket boards in the world, check where PCB stands
)
Exclusive | She went to compete but returned as world no. 1: Meet 16-year-old shuttler Tanvi Sharma
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Top Indian batters to score hundred at Lord’s Cricket Ground – Sachin Tendulkar not on the list
#WATCH | India launches its first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI 1. The rocket, developed by the Tamil Nadu-based start-up Space Zone India and Martin Group was launched from Thiruvidandhai in Chennai using a mobile launcher. It carries 3 Cube Satellites and 50 PICO Satellites… pic.twitter.com/Io97TvfNhE — ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2024
“It is more of a sounding rocket. It flew to an altitude of about 35 km and right now my team is there to collect it as per our plan (since it is a reusable rocket),”Megalingam said.
“Compared to an 89-degree inclination, we had launched the rocket with a 70-degree inclination due to heavy wind and gusts,” he added.
Rocket named after RHUMI founder's son
Megalingam also told PTI that the rocket RHUMI was named after his sonRhumithran.
The three cube satellites on the rocket willmonitor and collect data on atmospheric conditions, including cosmic radiation intensity, UV radiation, and air quality, among others.
The 50 PICO Satellites, meanwhile, will study various aspects ofatmospheric conditions like accelerometer readings, altitude, and ozone levels, to understand the environmental dynamics.
“India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in space innovation, consistently launching groundbreaking missions that push the boundaries of what is possible. As our nation continues to advance in this crucial sector, the need for sustainable and cost-effective solutions becomes more pressing. Mission RHUMI 2024 is a direct response to this need,” Megalingam further said.
(With inputs from agencies)