India for the first time successfully test fired a reusable hybrid rocket called ‘RHUMI-1,’ built by Tamil Nadu based firm, Space Zone India in association with Martin Group. It was successfully launched from Thiruvidandhai in Chennai which was a key turn in the Indian space missions.
RHUMI-1 was planned to lift to a suborbital orbit 3 Cube Satellites and 50 PICO Satellites with the help of mobile launcher. These satellites are to be used to collect data for use in global warming and climate change research. First, RHUMI-1 incorporates a dual-mode propulsion system which uses generic propellant and an electrically fired parachute release mechanism. There are no pyrotechnics used in the rocket, itself, nor is there any TNT, making for a safer, green launch.
It was spear headed by the enthusiast and the founder of Space Zone India Anand Megalingam with the guidance of Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, the former Directorate of ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC). The Multipurpose RHUMI-1 rocket has integrated the features of both liquid and solid fuelled rocket making the operation smooth and less costly.
In 2023, Space Zone India initiated an educational programme known as ‘Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Students Satellite Launch’ in which more than 2500 students from government, tribal and public schools participated in the design and construction of a student satellite launch vehicle which is enabled to carry 150 PICO satellite research experiment cubes.