ISRO successfully launched RH200-the versatile sounding rocket

New Delhi: In a historic moment witnessed by Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Honourable former President of India, Shri S Somanath, Secretary DoS, Chairman, ISRO, and invited guests, RH200 - the versatile sounding rocket of ISRO, registered its 200th consecutive successful launch from the shores of Thumba at TERLS marking the celebrations 200@200. 

In a function held at Dr Srinivasan auditorium, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Shri Ram Nath Kovind addressed the VSSC community. The Hon’ble former President recollected the significant contributions of the pioneers in Indian Space Research including that of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Prof Satish Dhawan, and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He mentioned that at this historic moment the entire nation is proud of the R&D community of our country. He mentioned that November happens to be an important month for Indian rocketry. It was on 21st November 1963 that the first Sounding Rocket was launched from Indian soil. Shri S Somanath, Secretary DoS, who spoke on the occasion mentioned that rocketry is a serious task. The private launch of a small rocket that was undertaken recently emulated an effort demonstrated in the late 1960s by ISRO. There is a long way to go and each step is to be taken with due diligence. Dr. S Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, VSSC welcomed the gathering.

Later, the honourable former President visited the Space Museum and Control Centre and witnessed the 200th consecutive successful flight of RH200 which took off at 11.55 AM IST today the 23rd November 2022 from TERLS Launchpad.

Indian-sounding rockets are used as privileged tools for the scientific community for carrying out experiments on meteorology, astronomy and similar branches of Space Physics. Campaigns such as Equatorial ElectroJet (EEJ), Leonid Meteor Shower (LMS), Indian Middle Atmosphere Programme (IMAP), Monsoon Experiment (MONEX), Middle Atmosphere Dynamics (MIDAS), Sooryagrahan-2010, etc. have been conducted using the sounding rocket platform for scientific exploration of the Earth’s atmosphere. 

The RSR series of rockets have been the forerunners for ISRO's heavier and more complex launch vehicles, with continued usage even today for atmospheric and meteorological studies. They are an indispensable part of our Space Programme, which has become every Indian’s hope and pride. The 200th consecutive successful flight stands testimony to the commitment of Indian rocket scientists toward unmatched reliability demonstrated over the years.

The event was graced by the presence of Dr. G Madhavan Nair, former Secretary, DoS, and Shri PS Veeraraghavan, former Director, VSSC, and former project directors of RSR and Deputy General Managers of TERLS. 

The honourable former President Shri Ram Nath Kovind was accompanied by his wife Smt Savitha Kovind and daughter Ms Swati Kovind. Senior officials of ISRO including Dr. V Narayanan, Director, LPSC, Dr Sam Dayala Dev, Director, IISU, and Shri Badarinarayana Murthy, Director, IPRC were present on the occasion.

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