India's 1st reusable hybrid rocket 'RHUMI-1' launched

New Delhi, (IANS): Tamil Nadu-based startup Space Zone, in collaboration with the Martin Group on Saturday successfully launched India’s first reusable hybrid rocket 'RHUMI-1'.RHUMI-1, carrying 3 Cube satellites and 50 PICO satellites was launched to a suborbital trajectory from the TTDC Ground in Thiruvidandhai, ECR, Chennai using a mobile launcher, the company said.The satellites aim to collect data for research purposes on global warming and climate change.Equipped with a generic-fuel-based hybrid motor and electrically triggered parachute deployer, the rocket is 100 per cent pyrotechnic-free and 0 per cent TNT.“The demand for small satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is increasing in India,” said Anand Megalingam, founder and CEO of Space Zone, in a company blog post, before the launch.This, he said, prompted “the company to focus on capturing the small satellite market while employing a Hybrid Propulsion system to ensure cost-effectiveness”.Mission RHUMI was led by Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, The Moon Man of India, Former Director ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), and Megalingam as its Mission Director.Other key features of RHUMI-1 include its angle, which can be fine-tuned from 0 to 120 degrees, allowing precise trajectory control.The company also built an innovative, cost-effective, and eco-friendly descent mechanism that will ensure...

Read More........→September 04, 2024

Toyota Once Again Rumored to be Mulling a Replacement for the Supra

Carscoop: After so many reports about Toyota resurrecting the Supra, one would be inclined to doubt the persistent rumors. On the other hand, we have the example of the on-again, off-again, on-again Acura/Honda NSX, which came into fruition with the presentation of the pre-production concept at the Detroit Auto show in January. Taking everything we have heard and seen over the past year into consideration, most importantly Toyota's newly found commitment to developing cars with more emotional styling and handling characteristics, there is a strong possibility that these rumors about a Suprareplacement originate from facts. Officially, the last time Toyota hinted at a direct successor to the Supra was in 2007 with the FT-HS Concept, a sharp looking two-seater model powered by a 400-horsepower hybrid powertrain linking a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine to an electric motor. That project ended with the financial crisis that ensued the following year. Fast forward to today and following a recent report from UK's Car Magazine that cited an unnamed source saying that Toyota is working on a potential successor to the Supra, another magazine, this time from the U.S., is claiming that the project is back in the cards, but with a twist. Motor Trend says that Toyota is looking to channel the FT-HS...

Read More........→July 13, 2012