Space Zone India Pvt Ltd, a Chennai-based aerospace startup, is preparing to launch its reusable sounding rocket, RHUMI 1, from a mobile launchpad mounted on a truck. The launch is scheduled for Saturday morning from the Bay of Bengal shore.
The RHUMI 1, a sounding rocket, will ascend to a pre-determined altitude below 35 kilometers and then fall back to Earth. The exact launch altitude will be finalized shortly before the event, according to Dr. Anand Megalingam, Founder and CEO of Space Zone India.
Despite the term “sounding rocket” having historical maritime origins referring to measurement, it has no relation to sound. These rockets are designed for gathering high-altitude data. Standing at 3.5 meters tall and weighing approximately 80 kg, RHUMI 1 is a hybrid rocket, combining wax-based fuel with nitrous oxide as the oxidizer. It generates an initial thrust of 2,500 newtons.
The rocket’s design includes a reusable main body, while the nose cone, which houses the payload, will detach and fall separately. The remainder of the rocket will return to the sea via parachute. The RHUMI 1 will carry three cube satellites to monitor atmospheric conditions such as cosmic radiation, UV radiation, and air quality.
Additionally, it will deploy 50 pico satellites to study various atmospheric phenomena including vibration, accelerometer data, and molecular bonding, aimed at enhancing environmental understanding. The project benefits from the guidance of Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, a former ISRO scientist known for his contributions to Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-2, and Mangalyaan missions.
RHUMI 1 serves as a precursor to the development of RHUMI 2, which will be capable of carrying payloads up to 250 kg to an altitude of 250 km and will offer satellite launch services. In the interim, RHUMI 1 will be used for educational purposes in aerodynamics and satellite technology. RHUMI 2 will feature a two-stage design, with the lower stage being recoverable and reusable.
Support for Space Zone India includes an ₹8 crore investment from the Chennai-based Martin Group, founded by Santiago Martin. The group may acquire a stake in the startup in the future. While the development costs of the rockets were not disclosed, Dr. Megalingam mentioned that RHUMI 2 will be employed by Coimbatore-based Akshath Aerospace (“Grahaa Space”) for launching 100 satellites. Grahaa Space aims to offer on-demand geospatial video services through its advanced constellation of nanosatellites.
