Twin Hybrid Rockets Launch Near Chennai to Test Restart Technology
Mission RHUMI Twin 2026 launched two indigenous hybrid rockets from Tiruvidanthai on Chennai's East Coast Road to test restart and reignition, carrying student-built instruments.
Two Indian-built hybrid rockets lifted off together at Tiruvidanthai, on Chennai's East Coast Road, at 7 am on Saturday, 10 October. The launch, Mission RHUMI Twin 2026, tested restart and reignition technology and gave students hands-on space research experience.
The hardware
The rockets, RHUMI 1 and RHUMI 2, use hybrid propulsion with an indigenous restart mechanism. Each is 3.1 metres long, 164 mm in diameter and weighs 35 kg. The organisers say the data from the experiment will feed future research and development in the space sector.
Restart is the interesting part. A motor that can shut down and fire again gives far more control over a flight than one that burns once until it runs dry.
Built with students
Students were trained in satellite technology, rocket science, payload systems, avionics, sensors, telemetry, communication and atmospheric studies. Instruments they built were integrated into the rockets to collect atmospheric data.
The launch was organised by Space Zone India, the Martin Group and the US-based Global Help International Foundation. Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was chief guest and started the launch. Former ISRO director Mylswamy Annadurai and former DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy were among the scientists present.
A track record, funded by CSR
Space Zone India, led by Anand Megalingam, says it has trained more than 5,000 students in space technology. Its earlier work includes 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 of its CSR funds on this mission.
Why it matters
India's space sector needs engineers who have handled real payloads, telemetry and propulsion before they reach their first job. CSR-funded student programmes like this one are a fairly cheap way to build that pipeline, and this one is running in Tamil Nadu.
Source: DT Next — Twin hybrid rockets launched to test 'restart tech' at Tiruvidanthai