Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India's space programme :
- The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.
- Agnikul Cosmos launched the world's first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.
- Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Correct. IN-SPACe was established in 2020 as an autonomous, single-window nodal agency under the Department of Space (DOS). It acts as a bridge between ISRO and private players to promote, authorize, and facilitate private sector participation in India's space sector.
Statement 2 — Correct. In May 2024, Chennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmos successfully launched the Agnibaan SOrTeD suborbital rocket from its private launchpad at Sriharikota — marking the world's first flight powered by a single-piece, fully 3D-printed rocket engine (semi-cryogenic engine named Agnilet).
Statement 3 — Incorrect. Skyroot Aerospace develops its own independent launch vehicles (the Vikram series) and engines. It does NOT develop fuel or engines for GSLV. The GSLV is an ISRO-owned heavy-lift rocket whose liquid and cryogenic stages are developed entirely in-house by ISRO via the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).
Key Trick: Statement 3 mixes two separate private players — Agnikul (3D engine) and Skyroot (Vikram rockets) — and falsely links Skyroot to GSLV.
Question 1 of 3 ISRO and Indian Space Programme
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