Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Splash back: On test flights of private rockets, the prospects

Splash back: On test flights of private rockets, the prospects

Test flights of private rockets herald (संदेशवाहक, अग्रदूत) prospects more valuable than commercial fortune.

On May 30, a start-up named Agnikul Cosmos successfully conducted the first test flight of its rocket ‘Agnibaan’ in a mission called ‘Suborbital Tech Demonstrator’ (SOrTeD). The flight was Agnikul’s fifth attempt after the first four were called off owing to suboptimal (उपेष्‍टतम, उपानुकूलतम) launch conditions. ‘Agnibaan’ is a two-stage, 14-tonne launch vehicle designed to lift small satellites to low-earth orbits. Both stages are powered by bespoke (माप के अनुसार बना हुआ, विशेष रूप से बनाया हुआ) semi-cryogenic engines. The test flight flew a ‘minimal’ version of the rocket with one engine (or stage). Notably, many of the vehicle’s components, including the engines, are 3D-printed, and Agnikul has said it will be able to build one rocket a month. With the test flight, Agnikul took ‘Agnibaan’ on its first steps towards being a full-fledged launch vehicle, which will expand India’s commercial launch services offering in keeping with the expanding market for small satellites and the services they can provide. The roster is currently dominated by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and will soon be joined by the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, both of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). One blip Agnikul will have to address is the subpar communication of the parameters of the test flight. This is one area in which ISRO has not distinguished itself and it is important for new space startups to steer clear of the same mould (ढालना, आकार देना).

This said, the flights of ‘Agnibaan’ — and Skyroot’s ‘Vikram’ in 2022 — herald two prospects more valuable than commercial fortune. ISRO and/or scientists trained there have shared technical know-how and provided physical systems for many private missions, which these startups are now testing, cutting short the time and expenses required. Likewise, these startups are poised (संतुलित करना, स्थिर करना) now to light the way for ISRO and others, potentially (संभावित, संभाव्यता) accelerating innovation in the sector. For example, ISRO has been testing a semi-cryogenic engine of its own that could draw from lessons learnt at Agnikul. The government must ensure that the corresponding bureaucratic (नौकरशाही) and legal frameworks encourage the free flow of knowledge. Second, in April, ISRO said it had developed engine nozzles made of a carbon-carbon composite to replace the Columbium alloy nozzles on the PSLV’s fourth stage. The switch increased PSLV’s payload capacity by 15 kg — a significant amount for an already technologically mature launch vehicle, made possible by education and research opportunities that allowed know-how accrued (अर्जित करना, जमा होना) in some sectors to disperse in others. This privilege is currently most pronounced (उच्चारण करना) in India’s spacefaring enterprise. As more innovation enters the fray, it is hoped that the resulting solutions and insights will benefit everything, from aerospace to zoology.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Herald (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - संदेशवाहक, अग्रदूत
English Meaning - A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another.

2.Bespoke (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - माप के अनुसार बना हुआ, विशेष रूप से बनाया हुआ
English Meaning - Made to order for a particular customer.

3.Suboptimal (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - उपेष्‍टतम, उपानुकूलतम
English Meaning - Below the best possible standard.

4.Fledge (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - उड़ने के लिए तैयार होना
English Meaning - (Of a young bird) to develop wing feathers that are large enough for flight.

5.Mould (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - ढालना, आकार देना
English Meaning - To form (an object) out of a malleable substance.

6.Poise (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - संतुलित करना, स्थिर करना
English Meaning - Graceful and elegant bearing in a person.

7.Potential (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - संभावित, संभाव्यता
English Meaning - Having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future.

8.Bureaucratic (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - नौकरशाही
English Meaning - Relating to the business of running an organization, or government.

9.Pronounce (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - उच्चारण करना
English Meaning - To make the sound of (a word or part of a word) correctly or in a particular way.

10.Accure (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - अर्जित करना, जमा होना
English Meaning - To accumulate or receive (such payments or benefits) over time.