Chennai has come up with an exciting development in the space industry. Startup Space Zone India Pvt. Ltd. is set to launch innovative RHUMI 1 rocket from a mobile pad (truck stationed) from a shore of the Bay of Bengal.
RHUMI 1 is a unique and is known as a sounding rocket. The word ‘sounding’ here refers to the act of gathering data. It is learned that the RHUMI 1 is to reach a maximum altitude of 35 km to conduct experiments and collect atmospheric data before descending. The rocket is unguided or predetermined. It will simply rise and thereafter fall back to the Earth.
The rocket is 3.5 meters tall in standing position and weighs about 80 kg. It is a hybrid rocket that combines wax-based fuel and nitrous oxide for combustion. It will generate an initial thrust of 2,500 newtons while propelling into the sky. Its nose cone will be jettisoned upon payload release and the rest will descend with the help of parachute into the Bay of Bengal. Most of its components are reusable.
The payload on RHUMI 1 includes three cube satellites and 50 pico satellites. All these are designed to gather a range of data on atmospheric conditions, cosmic radiation, UV intensity and air quality.
The project is being guided by former ISRO scientist Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai. He played a key role in India’s Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-2 and Mangalyaan missions. Space Zone India mission is a crucial step towards developing RHUMI 2, which will be a more advanced rocket and capable of carrying payloads of up to 250 kg to an altitude of 250 km. It is envisioned to support satellite launching services and will also feature a recoverable and reusable lower stage.
