Vijayawada: Union civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu on Wednesday flagged off India’s first indigenous Super Pressure Balloon mission from Vijayawada, marking a major step in the country’s emerging near-space and deep-tech ecosystem.
The system, developed by Hyderabad-based Red Balloon Aerospace under Mission SANA, is carrying commercial and scientific payloads during its maiden experimental launch.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union minister described the launch as a milestone achievement for both Andhra Pradesh and India, stating that the technology would open new applications in telecommunications, disaster management, atmospheric research, and rural connectivity.
He said India’s space economy, encouraged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently generates nearly $8 billion in business. It is projected to grow to about $40 billion (around ₹4 lakh crore) over the next decade.
Officials said the balloon is made of advanced polymer nanocomposite material and filled with hydrogen gas. It is designed for long-duration operations in the stratosphere. It can carry payloads of up to 50 kg and is equipped with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
Data after the launch showed the balloon reaching an altitude of 12.2 km over Guntur district by 10:05 am. The Super Pressure Balloon is designed to operate at altitudes of nearly 25 km in the stratosphere.
The Union minister said the stratospheric region between the commercial aircraft and satellites has significant strategic and commercial potential, particularly for providing communication services to remote and underserved regions.
Ram Mohan Naidu declared that with this, Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a hub for aerospace, artificial intelligence, data centres and quantum technologies.
Those present on the occasion included MPs Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and Kesineni Sivanath, and AP Innovation Society CEO Suryateja Mallavarapu.
Red Balloon Aerospace co-founder and CEO Dr. C.V.S. Kiran said the Super Pressure Balloon mission validates India’s indigenous near-space platform technology. Red Balloon co-founder and COO Sireesh Pallikonda said the platform could support multiple industries at lower operational costs.
The mission is carrying six payloads, including earth observation sensors, biological experiment systems, propulsion technologies, and onboard computing platforms, officials stated.
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