CHENNAI: In a groundbreaking achievement, India’s first reusable hybrid rocket, ‘RHUMI-1’, was successfully launched on Saturday by Tamil Nadu-based start-up Space Zone India, in collaboration with Martin Group. The launch, which took place from a mobile launcher in Chennai, carried a payload of 50 PICO satellites and three Cube satellites along a suborbital trajectory.
Guided by Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, former director of the ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), and led by Space Zone’s founder Anand Megalingam, the mission marks a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey. The ‘RHUMI-1’ rocket is unique in that it is entirely free of fireworks and explosives such as TNT, instead utilizing a hybrid motor powered by generic fuel and an electronically controlled parachute deployment system.
RHUMI-1’s propulsion system combines liquid and solid fuel propellants, optimizing efficiency while minimizing operational costs. Unlike conventional rockets, its hybrid design only mixes the solid propellant and liquid oxidizer during combustion, which reduces the risk of accidental detonation.
Space Zone India previously attempted a launch in February 2023, but an issue with parachute deployment caused the rocket to fall into the sea, preventing its recovery. For this launch, the team implemented multiple timers to prevent a repeat of the failure.
Looking ahead, Space Zone India aims to develop two-stage rockets capable of carrying up to 500kg payloads and is exploring future launches from the UAE deserts.
