Meet the truck driver's son who launched India's first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI-1

On Aug. 24, 2024, India took a significant leap in space technology when Space Zone India successfully launched the country’s first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI-1, using a mobile launch pad.

The launch occurred in the coastal village of Thiruvidandhai, Tamil Nadu, under the Mission RHUMI-2024 program.

The rocket's launch wasn’t just about technological advancement—it was about a dream turned into reality by Dr. Anand Megalingam, a man who came from humble beginnings to lead this groundbreaking mission.

A mission to save the planet

RHUMI-1 wasn’t built just for space exploration; its primary goal is to help fight climate change. Carrying three cube satellites and 50 PICO satellites, the rocket is designed to collect crucial data about the Earth’s atmospheric aspects like cosmic radiation intensity, UV radiation, and air quality.

On the other hand, the PICO satellites are tasked with recording additional factors such as accelerometer readings, ozone levels, and altitude.

According to Space Zone India, this data will help students and scientists better understand climate patterns and develop strategies to combat global warming.

“Space tech has a huge role to play here,” said Megalingam. “The data collected will help us understand atmospheric conditions better, laying the groundwork for impactful climate action.”

What makes RHUMI-1 unique is its hybrid propulsion system, which combines solid fuel and liquid oxidizer. This innovative system boosts the rocket’s efficiency and makes it reusable—a critical step toward sustainable space missions.

From failure to fame

Dr. Anand Megalingam’s journey to this historic moment is a story of grit, determination, and passion. Born to a truck driver and a homemaker in Tamil Nadu, Anand struggled academically in his early years. He even failed all his subjects during the first semester of his electrical and electronics engineering degree.

However, his skill in sports earned him a place in a private college, where he discovered his love for aeronautical engineering. That passion turned his life around.

After excelling in numerous competitions and earning awards, Anand started Space Zone India, a startup focused on building eco-friendly rockets and creating educational opportunities for students interested in space technology.

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The startup’s journey wasn’t easy. Anand faced financial hurdles, but his father’s sacrifices kept him motivated. In honour of his father’s hard work, he made him a 50% stakeholder in the startup.

Today, Space Zone India is valued at Rs 800 crore and has support from the Indian government, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and corporate sponsors.

Building RHUMI-1

The journey to creating RHUMI-1 was full of challenges. Anand and his team began working on the rocket in January 2023 under immense pressure to meet tight deadlines and work within limited budgets. The first prototypes failed, but the team didn’t give up. They carefully analyzed the problems and came up with improved designs.

“Building RHUMI-1 wasn’t just about technology,” Megalingam said. “It was about teamwork, learning from failures, and staying committed to our vision.”

Apart from technical issues, the team also faced regulatory hurdles. It took months to get approvals from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Delhi, Air Force, Airport Authority of India. These clearances finally came just a week before the scheduled launch date.

Launch day

On the launch day, over 8,000 students, mentors, advisors, government officials, and industry partners gathered to witness history in the making. The tension was palpable as the countdown began. When Megalingam pressed the ignition button, the rocket took four seconds to lift off—a delay that felt like an eternity to him.

“I was in charge of the entire process—and I couldn’t afford for anything to go wrong,” he said.

“When I pressed the ignition button, there was a 4-second delay in the launch. These 4 seconds were probably the longest 4 seconds of my life. I remember that the entire year, my team, the government, and everyone’s hopes flashed before my eyes.” 

“But of course, we had triple-checked everything till the last minute—so RHUMI launched smoothly. And we created history,” he added.

The rocket performed flawlessly, reaching suborbital space and successfully deploying its payload. The data collected by the satellites will now be analyzed to help scientists better understand atmospheric dynamics and contribute to global climate research.

The success of RHUMI-1 is more than just a technological breakthrough—it’s a story of inspiration for young Indians. Through Space Zone India, Megalingam hopes to spark interest in space exploration and environmental research among students.

“Our goal isn’t just to build rockets. It’s to build a future where young minds can dream big and achieve the impossible. RHUMI-1 is proof of what we can achieve with determination and innovation," he said

"The future of India’s space journey is bright, and I’m excited to see what comes next,” Megalingam added.