India’s first hybrid sounding rocket launched

India’s first hybrid sounding rocket was launched from Pattipulam village in Chengalpattu district on Sunday.
The rocket was launched at 8:15 am in the presence of Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry and Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and former director of ISRO Satellite Centre Mylswamy Annadurai.Martin Foundation, in association with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Space Zone India, launched the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Satellite Launch Vehicle Mission- 2023.

According to the organizations, about 5,000 students in classes between VI and XII from various government school across the country, were involved in the project.

Satellite technology

The project included 200 students from fishermen community in Puducherry and about 100 students from tribal communities. The students designed and constructed a student satellite launch vehicle (rocket) and 150 PICO satellite research experiment cubes that contained different payloads.

While the reusable rocket - which can be used for research in weather, atmospheric conditions and radiations - was made by the top 100 students,  satellites were made by the rest. Through the programme , students learnt not only about satellite technology but also learnt more about STEM.Addressing the gathering, Mylswamy Annadurai, said that the launch was a success and asked the students to explore opportunities in the space sector.Trustee of Martin Foundation Leema Rose, its administrative director Jose Charles Martin, trustee of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation Najeema and others attended the event.