RAS question
Which Indian private space company launched the Vikram-S rocket under the mission named 'Prarambh'?
Correct answer: (A) Skyroot Aerospace.
Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based Indian private space company, launched the Vikram-S rocket under Mission Prarambh on 18 November 2022.
Explanation
The answer is Skyroot Aerospace because ISRO records Mission Prarambh as the successful launch of Vikram-S, a suborbital launch vehicle from M/s Skyroot Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, on 18 November 2022. The launch took place at 11:30 am IST from the sounding rocket launch complex at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. It was significant because ISRO identifies it as the first launch of a launch vehicle built by a private company in India, with the mission authorised by IN-SPACe. Prarambh means "the beginning", and the Vikram series is named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Agnikul Cosmos is linked here with Agnibaan, not with the Vikram-S launch vehicle used in Mission Prarambh.
- (C) Pixxel is described in the question data as a satellite imaging company, whereas Mission Prarambh involved the Vikram-S rocket.
- (D) Dhruva Space is associated here with satellite solutions, not with building or launching the Vikram-S launch vehicle.
Concept
This tests India's private-sector participation in space technology and the role of IN-SPACe in enabling such missions. It recurs in RAS because science and technology questions often connect institutions, firsts, and recent Indian space milestones.