• Tamil Nadu-based startup Space Zone India launched its first reusable hybrid rocket, Mission RHUMI-2024, onboard a mobile platform to take up research on global warming and climate change.

• Chennai-based Space Zone India has been conducting various projects under Mission RHUMI over the last two years.

• It is led by Anand Megalingam, the founder of the Space Zone, under the mentorship of Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai Former Director of ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC).

• Diversified conglomerate Martin Group of Companies has backed Space Zone India on its latest Mission RHUMI-2024 through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.

Features of RHUMI-1:

• The 3.5 metre tall rocket launched on August 24 at Thiruvidanthai on the scenic East Coast Road near Chennai is powered by a generic-fuel-based hybrid motor and electrically triggered parachute deployer.

• The rocket, carrying three cube satellites and 50 PICO satellites, was launched into a suborbital trajectory using a mobile launcher.

• These satellites will be collecting data for research purposes on global warming and climate change. 

• Hybrid Rocket Engine: RHUMI rocket is equipped with a generic-fuel-based hybrid motor and electrically triggered parachute deployer. RHUMI is 100 per cent pyrotechnic-free and zero per cent TNT.

• The rocket combines the advantages of both liquid and solid fuel propellant systems to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Space Zone India

• Space Zone India is an aero-technology company in Chennai that aims to provide low-cost, long-term solutions in the space industry.

• It provides hands-on training experience on aerodynamic principles, satellite technology, drone technology and rocket technology. 

• It also creates awareness of the career options in this industry. 

• Space Zone India works with private institutions, engineering and art and science colleges, and schools.

Reusable Launch Vehicle

• RLV is essentially a space plane with a low lift to drag ratio requiring an approach at high glide angles that necessitates a landing at high velocities of 350 kmph. 

• It utilises several indigenous systems. 

• Localised navigation systems based on pseudolite systems, instrumentation, and sensor systems, etc were developed by ISRO.

• In May 2016, ISRO had demonstrated the re-entry of its winged vehicle Reusable Launch Vehicle–Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) in the HEX mission.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)