Gujarat made history by successfully launching its first sounding rocket near Dholera. The rocket was developed and launched by Ahmedabad-based startup Omspace Rocket and Exploration Private Limited (OSRE). This marks an important step for Gujarat as it begins to grow its space technology and private space research sector.
The rocket took off from a temporary launch site in Bavliyari around 1 p.m. It flew up to 3 kilometres in the sky and carried a small experiment to collect weather data. The launch tested important systems of the rocket, including its engine, electronics, and recovery system, all of which worked successfully.
The rocket’s body was made with carbon fibre and other strong materials at the startup’s facility in Ahmedabad. The launch had approval and support from authorities like the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN‑SPACe), the Airports Authority of India, the Coast Guard, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia attended the launch. He praised the young scientists and said this is a big step toward Gujarat developing its own space technology and encouraging private companies to work in this field.
Omspace’s team said that the success of this rocket will help them build more advanced rockets in the future, including a reusable launch vehicle called Infinity One. They hope this will allow India and Gujarat to do more experiments and research in space using locally made technology.
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