newspop
Sriharikota : India’s private space sector scripted history on Saturday as Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, the nation’s first privately built orbital-class rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The successful mission marks a defining moment for India’s commercial space ambitions, demonstrating that privately developed launch vehicles are now ready to carry satellites into orbit.
The mission, named Aagaman, represents a major leap for the country’s growing space ecosystem, placing India among a select group of nations where private companies possess the capability to independently design, build and launch orbital rockets. The achievement is expected to accelerate India’s presence in the rapidly expanding global small-satellite launch market.
Standing nearly seven storeys tall, Vikram-1 is an advanced multi-stage launch vehicle built almost entirely with carbon composite structures. Designed to carry payloads of up to 350 kilograms into Low Earth Orbit, the rocket is powered by indigenously developed propulsion technologies, including state-of-the-art 3D-printed engines and solid rocket motors. According to Skyroot, every stage of the maiden flight performed as planned, with smooth ignition, flawless stage separations and successful mission execution.
The inaugural launch also carried several technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed and Skyroot’s own SCOPE experiment. Alongside these scientific payloads, the rocket transported symbolic mementoes, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handwritten “Vande Mataram” postcard and messages from ISRO leaders, astronauts and well-wishers from across the world.
Founded in 2018 by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot Aerospace has steadily emerged as a pioneer in India’s private space revolution. The company first made headlines in 2022 with the successful launch of Vikram-S, India’s first privately developed rocket to reach space. Vikram-1 now builds on that success by proving the company’s capability to deliver full-fledged orbital launch services.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Skyroot team, describing the successful launch as a landmark achievement in India’s space journey. He said the growing role of private enterprises is transforming the country’s innovation landscape and opening new frontiers in space technology. Calling the mission an inspiration for young innovators, the Prime Minister said the achievement reflects India’s confidence, technological strength and its vision of becoming a global leader in the space economy.
The successful launch of Vikram-1 not only marks a technological breakthrough but also signals the beginning of a new chapter for India’s private space industry, strengthening the country’s position as an emerging global hub for affordable, reliable and cutting-edge space launch services.
