Watch: India launches ‘RHUMI-1’ first reusable hybrid rocket | India News – Times of India

India’s first reusable hybrid rocket, ‘RHUMI-1‘, was successfully launched from Chennai on Saturday by Space Zone India, a Tamil Nadu-based start-up, in collaboration with Martin Group. The rocket was launched using a mobile launcher and traveled on a suborbital trajectory while carrying a payload of 50 PICO satellites and three Cube satellites.
The rocket, measuring 3.5 metres in height, was launched at approximately 7:25 am, slightly later than the originally planned 7 am lift off time, according to Anand Megalingam, the Founder and CEO of Space Zone India.
“It is more of a sounding rocket. It flew to an altitude of about 35 kms and right now my team is there to collect it as per our plan (since it is a reusable rocket),” Megalingam told to PTI.
He further elaborated on the launch, stating, “Compared to an 89 degree inclination, we had launched the rocket with 70 degree inclination due to heavy wind and gusts.”
Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, a former director of ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), provides direction to Anand Megalingam, the creator of Space Zone, as he leads the expedition.

The RHUMI Rocket is completely free of fireworks and uses no TNT. It has a hybrid motor powered by generic fuel and an electronically activated parachute deployer.
The RHUMI-1 rocket utilised a combination of liquid and solid fuel propellants to enhance efficiency and minimize operational costs. The first launch was attempted in February 2023 encountered a parachute deployment issue, resulting in the rocket falling into the sea and making recovery impossible. To prevent a similar occurrence, the team has incorporated multiple timers for this launch.
Rhumi 1’s hybrid design, which uses solid propellant and liquid oxidizer, reduces the risk of accidental detonation by combining these components only during combustion.
Space Zone India has plans to develop two-stage rockets with a payload capacity of up to 500kg and is exploring the possibility of a future launch in the UAE deserts.