Kalam-250 & Vikram-1 launch vehicle: India's Private Space Leap Forward

Vikram-1, a multi-stage rocket designed to deploy satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), is set to revolutionize the Indian space industry. One of the key components of this launch vehicle is the Kalam-250, the second stage of Vikram-1, which has undergone successful testing on 27th March, 2024 at ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

Skyroot Aerospace, a pioneering Indian space startup, is making significant strides in the country’s private space sector. The company’s recent unveiling of the Vikram-1 launch vehicle marks a crucial milestone in India’s journey towards accessible and affordable space exploration.

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Vikram-1 Launch Vehicle

The Vikram-1 Launch Vehicle is a multi-stage rocket developed by Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian startup aerospace company. Its primary function is to deploy small satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), making space more accessible and affordable for various applications. The rocket is named after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India’s space program, as a tribute to his contributions to the field.

How Does Vikram-1 Contribute to India’s Space Capabilities?

Vikram-1 belongs to a family of small-lift launch vehicles, which are designed to cater to the growing demand for small satellite launches. It is comparable to other global small-lift rockets such as Electron, developed by Rocket Lab, Kaituozhe-1, developed by China, and Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), developed by ISRO, India.

What sets Vikram-1 apart is its all-carbon composite body and 3D-printed liquid engines, which showcase India’s technological prowess and innovation in the space sector.

Technical Specifications of Vikram-1 Rocket

The Vikram-1 rocket has the following key specifications:

Height: 20 meters (66 feet), comparable to a 7-story building
Payload capacity: Approximately 300 kg to Low Earth Orbit
Stages: 4 total stages
First 3 stages use solid fuel
4th stage uses liquid propellants

Stages of the Kalam Rocket

The Kalam rocket is a multi-stage launch vehicle designed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It consists of four stages, each with its own propulsion system and specific characteristics. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the stages:

First Stage (Kalam-1200)

The first stage of the Kalam rocket is known as Kalam-1200.
It provides a maximum thrust of 1,200 kN (265,000 lbf).

Second Stage (Kalam-250)

The second stage is called Kalam-250.
It generates a thrust of 235 kN (52,800 lbf).
The stage utilizes a carbon composite motor with solid fuel and EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) thermal protection.
It features a carbon ablative flex nozzle and electro-mechanical actuators for thrust vectoring.

Third Stage (Kalam-100)

The third stage, known as Kalam-100, delivers a thrust of 100 kN (22,000 lbf).

Fourth Stage

The fourth stage is powered by four Raman-I engines.
It provides a total thrust of 3.4 kN (760 lbf).
The stage uses liquid propellants, specifically N2O4 (Dinitrogen Tetroxide) and MMH (Monomethylhydrazine).

These stages work together to propel the payload into the desired orbit. The Kalam rocket’s multi-stage design allows for efficient use of propellants and enables the vehicle to achieve the necessary velocity and altitude for successful missions.

The second stage Kalam-250 was successfully test-fired for 85 seconds on March 27, 2024 at ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre. It achieved a peak sea-level thrust of 186 kN, expected to provide 235 kN thrust in vacuum during flight.

Vikram-1’s maiden orbital launch is targeted for mid-2024 and will be a landmark as India’s first private orbital rocket. This follows Skyroot’s suborbital Vikram-S launch in November 2022.

When is Vikram-1 Expected to Launch?

Skyroot Aerospace plans to conduct the maiden orbital launch of Vikram-1 in 2024. The company has outlined a timeline for subsequent Vikram-1 missions, with launches scheduled for Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2024. These missions will pave the way for Skyroot Aerospace to establish itself as a key player in the global small satellite launch market.

Kalam-250: Second Stage of Vikram-1 Rocket

Kalam-250 serves as the second stage of the Vikram-1 launch vehicle. It has these key roles:

Propels the rocket from the atmospheric phase to the vacuum of outer space
Named after the renowned Indian scientist and former President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Skyroot Aerospace successfully test-fired Kalam-250 on 27th March, 2024 at ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This milestone event is significant for both Skyroot and the Indian space industry.

Kalam-250 Test Firing

The Kalam-250 stage underwent an 85-second rigorous test-firing with these outcomes:

Recorded a peak sea-level thrust of 186 kilonewtons (kN)
Translates to approximately 235 kN of fully expanded vacuum thrust during flight
Validated critical systems of the stage, including:
Flex nozzle control system, fired for the first time
Carbon composite motor with solid fuel and EPDM thermal protection
Carbon ablative flex nozzle and electro-mechanical actuators for thrust vectoring

The test results matched the expected parameters, bringing Skyroot Aerospace closer to the orbital launch of Vikram-1 targeted for mid-2024.

Technologies Used in Kalam-250 Stage

The Kalam-250 stage of the Vikram-1 rocket incorporates several cutting-edge technologies that contribute to its optimal performance and reliability. Let’s take a closer look at these advanced features:

High-Strength Carbon Composite Rocket Motor

The rocket motor of Kalam-250 is made of high-strength carbon composite materials.
These materials provide excellent structural strength while maintaining a lightweight design.

Solid Fuel Propellant

The propellant used in Kalam-250 is a solid fuel processed by Solar Industries at their facility in Nagpur, India.
Solid fuel propellants offer simplicity, reliability, and high thrust-to-weight ratios.

Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Terpolymers (EPDM) Thermal Protection System (TPS)

Kalam-250 employs an advanced thermal protection system using Ethylene-Propylene-Diene terpolymers (EPDM).
EPDM provides high-performance insulation, protecting the stage from the extreme temperatures encountered during flight.

Carbon Ablative Flex Nozzle

The stage features a carbon ablative flex nozzle.
This nozzle design enables efficient exhaust flow and precise thrust control.

High-Precision Electro-Mechanical Actuators for Thrust Vector Control

Kalam-250 utilizes high-precision electro-mechanical actuators for thrust vector control.
These actuators allow the rocket to adjust the nozzle direction, ensuring the desired trajectory is achieved.

By integrating these advanced technologies, Kalam-250 demonstrates exceptional performance and reliability as a crucial stage in the Vikram-1 rocket. These innovations contribute to the overall success and efficiency of the launch vehicle.

What are the Next Steps for Vikram-1 and Kalam-250?

With the successful test-firing of Kalam-250, Skyroot Aerospace is now focused on achieving the remaining milestones leading up to the maiden orbital launch of Vikram-1 in 2024. The company has previously tested Kalam-100, the third stage of Vikram-1, in June 2021. The upcoming months will see Skyroot Aerospace working towards integrating all the stages and conducting further tests to ensure the readiness of Vikram-1 for its orbital mission.