Tamil Nadu-based startup Space Zone India, in collaboration with Martin Group, successfully launched the country’s first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI-1. The launch took place at Thiruvidandhai, Chennai, and marked a significant milestone in India’s growing private space sector.
RHUMI-1, equipped with an innovative hybrid propulsion system that combines the benefits of both liquid and solid fuels, carried a payload of three CubeSats and 50 PICO satellites. These satellites are designed to gather critical data on global warming and climate change, showcasing the mission’s commitment to addressing global environmental challenges.
The rocket, launched into a suborbital trajectory using a mobile launcher, is a testament to advanced technology with its generic-fuel-based hybrid motor and electrically triggered parachute deployer. Remarkably, RHUMI-1 is entirely pyrotechnic-free and contains no TNT, highlighting the safety and efficiency of the design.
The mission was spearheaded by Space Zone India’s founder, Anand Megalingam, under the mentorship of Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, the former Director of the ISRO Satellite Centre. This collaboration underlines the pivotal role private companies are playing in advancing India’s space capabilities.
Space Zone India, known for its commitment to low-cost and long-term space solutions, also places a strong emphasis on education and outreach. The company has been instrumental in providing hands-on training in aerodynamic principles, satellite and drone technology, and rocket technology to students across various educational institutions. In 2023, Space Zone India launched the ‘Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Students Satellite Launch’ mission, involving over 2,500 students in a groundbreaking educational initiative.
The successful launch of RHUMI-1 represents not only a technological achievement but also a significant step forward in making space exploration more accessible and sustainable.
