Chennai: Two indigenously developed hybrid rockets were launched simultaneously at Tiruvidanthai along the East Coast Road on Saturday as part of Mission RHUMI Twin 2026, an experiment to test restart and reignition technology while promoting space science education among students.
The launch
The two rockets, named RHUMI 1 and RHUMI 2, were launched at 7 am on October 10. Developed using hybrid propulsion technology with an indigenous restart mechanism, each rocket measures 3.1 metres in length and 164 mm in diameter and weighs 35 kg. Data gathered during the experiment is expected to support future research and technological development in the space sector.
The launch was organised by Chennai-based Space Zone India, the Martin Group, and the US-based Global Help International Foundation. Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar attended the event as the chief guest and initiated the launch. Former ISRO director and Padma Shri awardee Mylswamy Annadurai and former DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy were among the scientists present.
Students at the centre of the mission
The mission doubles as an education initiative: school and college students were trained in satellite technology, rocket science, payload systems, avionics, sensors, telemetry, communication, and atmospheric studies. Scientific instruments developed by students were integrated into the rockets to collect atmospheric data.
Space Zone India, led by Anand Megalingam, said it had trained more than 5,000 students in space technology. Its earlier initiatives included launching 100 femto satellites in 2021, 150 pico satellites in 2023, and a hybrid rocket in 2024. The Martin Group has reportedly spent more than Rs 1.5 crore from its corporate social responsibility funds on the mission, which seeks to expand student participation in India's growing space sector.
Sources:
Twin hybrid rockets launched to test 'restart tech' at Tiruvidanthai — DT Next
The launch
The two rockets, named RHUMI 1 and RHUMI 2, were launched at 7 am on October 10. Developed using hybrid propulsion technology with an indigenous restart mechanism, each rocket measures 3.1 metres in length and 164 mm in diameter and weighs 35 kg. Data gathered during the experiment is expected to support future research and technological development in the space sector.
The launch was organised by Chennai-based Space Zone India, the Martin Group, and the US-based Global Help International Foundation. Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar attended the event as the chief guest and initiated the launch. Former ISRO director and Padma Shri awardee Mylswamy Annadurai and former DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy were among the scientists present.
Students at the centre of the mission
The mission doubles as an education initiative: school and college students were trained in satellite technology, rocket science, payload systems, avionics, sensors, telemetry, communication, and atmospheric studies. Scientific instruments developed by students were integrated into the rockets to collect atmospheric data.
Space Zone India, led by Anand Megalingam, said it had trained more than 5,000 students in space technology. Its earlier initiatives included launching 100 femto satellites in 2021, 150 pico satellites in 2023, and a hybrid rocket in 2024. The Martin Group has reportedly spent more than Rs 1.5 crore from its corporate social responsibility funds on the mission, which seeks to expand student participation in India's growing space sector.
Sources:
Twin hybrid rockets launched to test 'restart tech' at Tiruvidanthai — DT Next
