RHUMI-1: India's Leap Towards Sustainable and Affordable Space Exploration

Introduction of RHUMI-1

- India achieved a milestone in the field of space exploration by launching its first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI-1. 

- This development was led by Tamil Nadu-based startup, Space Zone India, which aimed to collect relevant data on climate change and global warming.

- The rocket was launched into a suborbital trajectory carrying 3 Cube Satellites and 50 PICO Satellites.

 

Key Features of RHUMI-1

- RHUMI-1 integrates both solid and liquid propellants in its Hybrid Propulsion System, which enhances efficiency and minimises operational costs.

- The engine supports precise trajectory control with adjustable angles, ranging from 0 to 120 degrees.

- With an Electrically Triggered Parachute System, it offers an advanced and eco-friendly descent mechanism ensuring safe recovery of rocket components.

- The Rocket is Environmentally friendly, free from pyrotechnic elements and explosives, reflecting its commitment towards sustainability.

 

Cube Satellites and Pico Satellites 

- Cube satellites, which weigh 1 to 10 kg, and Pico satellites, which weigh 0.1 to 1 kg, were launched with RHUMI-1.

 

Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Students Satellite Launch Mission

- This mission was launched in 2023 and involved over 2,500 students from various schools across India who contributed to designing and constructing a student satellite launch vehicle.

- The payload for this mission was 150 Pico Satellites research experiment cubes.

 

Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs): Overview and Benefits 

- RLVs are spacecraft specifically designed for multiple launch cycles, reducing construction costs by up to 65% per launch.

- By minimising discarded rocket components, they reduce space debris, making space exploration more sustainable.

- They enable increased frequency of launches due to their reduced turnaround time.

 

Difference from Multi-Stage Rocket

- Unlike typical multi-stage rockets that discard the first stage post-exhaustion to reduce weight, RLVs recover and reuse the first stage using engines or parachutes for a controlled landing.

 

ISRO’s RLV Project

- ISRO is working on Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstration (RLV-TD), as part of its efforts to enable low-cost access to space.

- In the future, this vehicle will form the first stage of India’s reusable two-stage orbital (TSTO) launch vehicle.

- ISRO's RLV-TD, which resembles an aircraft, will be used to develop breakthrough technologies such as hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, return flight experiment, powered cruise flight, and Scramjet Propulsion Experiment.