Ajay Kumar: Creating a new article

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{{Short description|Indian orbital class expendable rocket family, in development by Skyroot Aerospace}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox Rocket
|name = Vikram
|image =
|caption =

|function = [[Small-lift launch vehicle]]
|manufacturer = [[Skyroot Aerospace]]
|country-origin = India
|cpl =
|height = '''Vikram I:''' {{cvt|20|m}}
|diameter =
|mass =
|stages = 4
|capacities =

{{infobox rocket/Payload
|location = [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] (500 km @ 45° inclination)
|mass = {{plainlist|
* '''Vikram I:''' {{cvt|480|kg}}
* '''Vikram II:''' {{cvt|595|kg}}
* '''Vikram III:''' {{cvt|815|kg}}}}
}}

{{Infobox rocket/Payload
|location = [[Polar orbit|SSPO]] (500 km)
|mass = {{plainlist|
* '''Vikram I:''' {{cvt|290|kg}}
* '''Vikram II:''' {{cvt|400|kg}}
* '''Vikram III:''' {{cvt|560|kg}}}}
}}

|status = Under development
|sites = [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre]]
|launches = '''Vikram-S:''' 1 (sub-orbital)
|success = 1 (sub-orbital)
|fail =
|partial =
|first = 18 November 2022 (suborbital)
|last =
|payloads =
|stagedata =
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|diff = Vikram I
|stageno = First
|engines = Kalam 1000
|length =
|diameter =
|solid = yes
|thrust = {{cvt|1000|kN}}
|burntime =
|SI =
|fuel = Solid
|empty =
|gross =
|propmass =
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|diff = Vikram I
|stageno = Second
|length =
|diameter =
|engines = Kalam 250
|thrust = {{cvt|250|kN}}
|SI =
|burntime =
|fuel = Solid
|empty =
|gross =
|propmass =
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|diff = Vikram I
|stageno = Third
|length =
|diameter =
|engines = Kalam 100
|solid = yes
|thrust = {{cvt|100|kN}}
|SI =
|burntime =
|fuel = Solid
|empty =
|gross =
|propmass =
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|diff = Vikram I
|stageno = Fourth
|length =
|diameter =
|engines = 4 x [[Raman Engine|Raman I]]
|thrust = {{cvt|3.4|kN}}
|SI =
|burntime =
|fuel = [[N2O4]]/[[Monomethylhydrazine|MMH]]
|empty =
|gross =
|propmass =
}}
|comparable=[[Rocket Lab Electron|Electron]], [[Kaituozhe-1]], [[SSLV]]}}

The '''Vikram''' ([[Sanskrit]]: ''{{IAST|Vikram}}'', {{literally|Brave}}; Namesake: [[Vikram Sarabhai]]<ref name="skyroot">{{cite web|date=2019-01-10|title=Launch Vehicle {{!}} Skyroot Aerospace|url=https://skyroot.in/launch-vehicle/|access-date=2022-01-21|language=en-US|archive-date=15 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215065720/https://skyroot.in/launch-vehicle/|url-status=dead}}</ref>) is a family of [[small-lift launch vehicle]]s being developed by [[Skyroot Aerospace]], an Indian startup aerospace company.

Before a full orbital launch, a suborbital flight of rocket designated "Vikram-S" was performed on 18 November 2022 by the name of mission ''Prarambh'' ({{literally|beginning}}).<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Skyroot Aerospace |user=SkyrootA |number=1593485494142525440 |title=89.5 km peak altitude achieved. Vikram-S rocket meets all flight parameters. It's history in the making for India. |date=18 November 2022}}</ref><ref>*{{Cite news|date=2022-11-08|last=Tripathi|first=Sibu|title=India's first private sector rocket Vikram-S to launch in November: Here's what we know|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/indias-first-private-sector-rocket-vikram-s-skyroot-aerospace-to-launch-in-november-isro-2294842-2022-11-08|newspaper=India Today|access-date=2022-11-09}}
*{{cite web|title=India's first private space launch startup Skyroot succeeds with upper-stage engine fire test|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2020/08/12/indias-first-private-space-launch-startup-skyroot-succeeds-with-upper-stage-engine-fire-test/|access-date=2022-01-21|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}
*{{cite web|title=India's first private player to successfully test a homegrown rocket engine is on track for its first full rocket launch by 2021|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/skyroot-aerospace-successfully-tests-homegrown-rocket-engine-is-on-track-for-its-first-full-rocket-launch-by-2021/articleshow/77506716.cms|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Business Insider}}</ref>

== Overview ==
Skyroot Aerospace has successfully tested [[Vikram S]], the sounding rocket. Vikram I is currently under development while the heavier launchers of Vikram II and Vikram III are proposed.
=== Vikram I ===
The Vikram I, first rocket in the series, has three solid fuel-powered stages each with a burn time ranging between 80 and 100 seconds and the final stage is [[Raman Engine|Raman engine]]. The Raman engine is powered by [[Monomethylhydrazine|MMH]] and [[Dinitrogen tetroxide|NTO]] liquid fuels in a cluster of four engines that generate 3.4 kN thrust. These Raman Engines will be used to do final adjustments in the orbit of the stage.<ref>{{cite web|last=Scientist|first=Gareeb|date=1 July 2020|title=The SpaceX's of India {{!}} Private Indian Rocket Companies {{!}} Skyroot {{!}} Agnikul {{!}} Bellatrix|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxk3av6nHnU|url-status=live|via=YouTube}}</ref> Vikram I is designed to lift 290 kg to a 500 km Sun synchronous polar orbit (SSPO) and 480 kg to 45º inclination in a 500 km low Earth orbit (LEO).<ref>{{cite web|title=India's first-ever privately designed and developed rocket is a step closer to becoming a reality in 2021|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/indian-space-startup-skyroot-aerospace-successfully-test-fires-first-solid-rocket-propulsion-stage-demonstrator-called-kalam-5/articleshow/79988975.cms|access-date=2022-01-22|website=Business Insider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=With ISRO assistance, India's Skyroot Aerospace aims maiden rocket launch by Dec-2021|url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/with-isro-assistance-indias-skyroot-aerospace-aims-maiden-rocket-launch-by-dec-2021-320835|access-date=2022-01-22|website=WION|language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Vikram rocket family.png|600px|Vikram orbital launch vehicles under development in comparison with already flown Vikram S, the suborbital class sounding rocket of Skyroot Aerospace.]]
{| class="wikitable" width="auto"
|+ Planned rockets in the series<ref>{{Cite web|title=Launch Vehicle|url=https://skyroot.in/launch-vehicle/|work=Skyroot Aerospace|date=10 January 2019|access-date=2022-11-09|archive-date=15 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215065720/https://skyroot.in/launch-vehicle/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan = "2" | Launch Vehicle
! colspan = "2" | Payload capacity
! rowspan = "2" | First flight
! rowspan = "2" | Total launches
|-
! [[Polar orbit#Sun orbits|SSPO]]<br/>({{small|500 km}})
! [[Low Earth orbit]]<br/>({{small|500 km; [[Orbital inclination|45°]]}})
|-
| [[Vikram-S]] (Suborbital)
| -
| -
| 18 November 2022
| 1
|-
| [[Vikram 1|Vikram I]]
| {{cvt|290|kg}}
| {{cvt|480|kg}}
| Q3 2023 (est.)
| 0
|-
| Vikram II
| {{cvt|400|kg}}
| {{cvt|595|kg}}
| TBD
| 0
|-
| Vikram III
| {{cvt|560|kg}}
| {{cvt|815|kg}}
| TBD
| 0
|}

== Development and Testing ==
* On 12 August 2020, Skyroot Aerospace successfully tested Vikram 1 launch vehicle's upper stage engine "[[Raman Engine|Raman]]".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Narasimhan|first=T. E.|date=2020-08-12|title=Skyroot Aerospace first private company to test upper stage rocket engine|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/skyroot-aerospace-first-private-company-to-test-upper-stage-rocket-engine-120081200445_1.html|access-date=2022-01-21}}</ref>
* On 21 September 2020, Several Ballistic Evaluation Motors (BEM) were fired to fine tune and qualify Vikram-1 Solid Stage Propellant formulation.<ref>{{Citation|title=Vikram-I Solid Stage BEM Firing|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA1jborVZcc|language=en|access-date=2022-01-21}}</ref>
* On 22 December 2020, Skyroot conducted a successful test firing of a Solid rocket stage demonstrator 'Kalam-5'.<ref>{{cite web|title=Another outstanding success! In an India's first by a private company and a major milestone for us, we are thrilled to announce successful test firing of our first solid rocket propulsion stage demonstrator: Kalam-5.|url=https://twitter.com/skyroota/status/1343399592201658368|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Twitter|language=en}}[[Wikipedia:SPS|{{sup|[''self-published'']}}]]</ref> The test was conducted at Solar Industries in Nagpur at 3 pm. The test cleared a 24 seconds long duration demonstration, achieving a peak thrust of 5.3 kN.<ref>{{Citation|title=Skyroot Aerospace: Kalam-5 Solid Rocket Motor Test Fire|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF6DgH1jxK4|language=en|access-date=2022-01-21}}</ref>
* On 20 June 2021, Vikram 1's third stage (Kalam-100) successfully completed the Proof Pressure Test (PPT).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/skyroota/status/1406494463216652288|title = In a major milestone, we successfully completed the Proof Pressure Test (PPT) of Vikram-1's 3rd stage 'Kalam-100'.|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Twitter|language=en}}[[Wikipedia:SPS|{{sup|[''self-published'']}}]]</ref>
* On 19 May 2022, has announced the successful completion of a full duration test-firing of its 'Vikram-1' rocket stage, representing a major milestone for the company. Named 'Kalam-100' after former president and the renowned Indian rocket scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the third stage of 'Vikram-1' produces a peak vacuum thrust of 100 kN (or ~10 Tons) and has a burn time of 108 sec. The rocket stage has been built with high-strength carbon fiber structure, solid fuel, novel thermal protection system, and carbon ablative nozzle. This testing will help Skyroot in development of orbital vehicle Vikram-1 and gives great confidence for the other rocket stages planned to be tested soon. This is best in class rocket stage of this size, with record propellant loading and firing duration and using all carbon composite structure for delivering best performance. This is largest rocket stage ever designed, manufactured, and tested completely in the private sector. There was a good match of test results with the design predictions in the very first attempt, which is a testimony to the team's capabilities. The state-of-the-art technology like carbon composite case, high propellant volumetric loading up to 94%, lighter EPDM based thermal protection system, and submerged nozzle have been validated through the successful static test.<ref>{{Citation|title=Skyroot successfully test fires space launch vehicle 'Vikram-1' rocket stage|newspaper=The Hindu |date=19 May 2022 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/skyroot-successfully-test-fires-space-launch-vehicle-vikram-1-rocket-stage/article65429218.ece|language=en|access-date=2022-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Indian launch startup Skyroot successfully completes full-duration stage test|url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/20/indian-launch-startup-skyroot-successfully-completes-full-duration-stage-test/|language=en|access-date=2022-05-19}}</ref> The video of the firing<ref>{{Citation|title=Static Fire Test, Vikram-1 Stage 3, Kalam-100|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LWiX3YC9Lc|language=en|access-date=2022-05-19}}</ref>[[File:Vikram-S rocket's Mission Prarambh 01.webp|thumb|Vikram-S]]
*On 18 November 2022, Skyroot Aerospace performed the maiden launch of the Vikram-S suborbital rocket, carrying payloads for Space Kidz, Bazoomq and N-Space Tech.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Skyroot Aerospace |user=SkyrootA |number=1593158081583943683 |title=Mission set. Happy to announce the authorization received from IN-SPACe yesterday for 18 November '22, 11:30 AM, after final checks on readiness and weather. Here’s our #Prarambh mission brochure for you. Watch this space for the launch live link. |date=17 November 2022}}</ref> The flight was successful, and the rocket reached an apogee of 89.5 km, making Skyroot Aerospace the first Indian private company to reach outer space.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Skyroot Aerospace |user=SkyrootA |number=1593485494142525440 |title=89.5 km peak altitude achieved. Vikram-S rocket meets all flight parameters. It's history in the making for India. |date=18 November 2022}}</ref>
*On 4 April 2023, Skyroot Aerospace announced the 200-second fire-endurance test of enhanced, fully 3D-printed 'Dhawan-II' Cryogenic engine that will power the upper stage of Vikram-2. It was considered a milestone for the Cryogenic engine program, fueling the accelerated development of Vikram series. [https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-firm-skyroot-aerospace-test-fires-3-d-printed-cryogenic-engine-spacefaring-rocket-launch-by-2023-end-579750 <nowiki>[18]</nowiki>]
*On 21 June 2023, Skyroot Aerospace announced the successful flight qualification testing of the [[Raman Engine|Raman-I]] engine to be used for roll attitude control of the Vikram-I rocket. As Vikram-I launches to space, aerodynamic disturbances and thrust misalignments can make the vehicle roll about its axis, needing a responsive roll-control system. It is provided by four Raman-I engines through precise pulses, commanded by the autopilot algorithm of mission computer. ‘[[Raman Engine|Raman]]’ is a series of engines/thrusters using earth storable hypergolic propellants for upper stage engine and attitude/reaction control in Vikram-1. Supported by [[ISRO]] and [[IN-SPACe]], this test was done at the [[Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre|Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC)]] of ISRO by a private company. [https://twitter.com/SkyrootA/status/1671416833579286529 <nowiki>[19]</nowiki>]
*On 4 July 2023, Skyroot Aerospace successfully completed the carbon-fiber winding and curing of Stage-1 motor case for Vikram-I. With 1.7 meters diameter and10 meters long, this was the largest hardware the company ever manufactured, and was built meticulously in-house using a multi-axis high precision robotic machine, powered by proprietary software. This stage, named 'Kalam 1200', is designed to generate a peak thrust of 120 tons. [https://twitter.com/SkyrootA/status/1676116935933857800 <nowiki>[20]</nowiki>]
*On 10 July 2023, Vikram-1 Stage-2 'Kalam-250' achieved the successful qualification test firing of its igniter. The igniter is used to safely, reliably and rapidly induce a combustion reaction in a solid rocket motor in a controlled and predictable manner under extreme temperature, pressure and vibration environments. [https://twitter.com/SkyrootA/status/1678303906022178817 <nowiki>[21]</nowiki>]

== See also ==
* [[Vikram S]]
* [[Small Satellite Launch Vehicle]]
* [[List of orbital launch systems]]
* [[Small-lift launch vehicle]]
* [[Launch vehicle]]

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Space launch vehicles of India]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 2022]]

Vikram (rocket family) - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Creating a new article