'Mission RHUMI 2024' | India Launches its 1st Reusable Hybrid Rocket

New Delhi: India on Saturday (August 24 ) achieved another milestone in the space sector by launching its first-ever reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI 1. The rocket, developed by a Tamil-Nadu-based start-up Space Zone India and Martin Group was launched from Thiruvidandhai in Chennai using a mobile launcher.

The rocket carries 3 Cube Satellites and 50 PICO Satellites into a suborbital trajectory.

In a post on X, the Martin Group said, "Mission Rhumi-2024: India’s Reusable Hybrid Rocket Takes Flight! Join us on August 24th at 7 AM as Space Zone India, in collaboration with the Martin Group, unveils its groundbreaking achievement—the country’s inaugural reusable hybrid rocket. Designed for flexibility and reusability, this mobile launch will propel Three Cube Satellites and Fifty PICO Satellites to a suborbital trajectory."

It further highlighted the rocket's key features.

Adjustable Launch Angle:

The rocket's launch angle can be precisely adjusted between 0 and 120 degrees, providing fine control over its trajectory.

Educational Impact:

Students from various regions of India, including government schools, have engaged in free workshops focused on rocket and satellite technology.

CO2-Activated Parachute System:

This innovative, affordable, and eco-friendly descent mechanism ensures the safe retrieval of rocket components.

Applications Beyond Space Exploration:

The technology has broader applications beyond space exploration, including use in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management.

According to the post by the start-up group, this is the third collaboration between the Martin Group and Space Zone India.

It earlier collaborated in "2023 for the mission of ‘Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Students Satellite Launch - 2023’, over 2500 students from government, tribal and public schools across the country became part of a team that designed and constructed a student satellite launch vehicle (rocket) mission that contained a payload of 150 PICO satellite research experiment cubes," it said.

Subsequently, in 2021, the two collaborated for the 'Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Space Research Payload Cubes Challenge 2021’,' where it successfully launched 100 FEMTO Satellites developed by 1200 students. 

(This is a breaking copy, more details are awaited)