Skyroot Aerospace launched Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital rocket, from Sriharikota—marking a milestone in India’s commercial space ambitions
India’s rapidly expanding private space sector has achieved a defining milestone with the launch of Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket. Developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, the rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota under Mission Aagaman, marking India’s entry into the global private orbital launch market.
The launch is widely regarded as one of the most significant moments in India’s space journey since the opening of the sector to private companies. While ISRO laid the foundation for India’s space programme, Vikram-1 demonstrates the growing capability of Indian startups to independently design, build and launch orbital rockets.
Standing nearly 20 metres tall, Vikram-1 is a four-stage launch vehicle designed to place small satellites into Low Earth Orbit. The maiden mission is carrying multiple technology demonstration payloads from Indian and international customers, with the flight intended to validate the rocket’s performance before regular commercial launches begin.
Ahead of the mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the launch as a “historic new frontier” for India’s space programme and praised the country’s young innovators. In a symbolic gesture, Vikram-1 is also carrying a handwritten “Vande Mataram” message from the Prime Minister into space.
Skyroot Aerospace, founded in 2018 by former ISRO engineers, first made headlines in 2022 when it successfully launched the Vikram-S suborbital rocket. Vikram-1 represents the company’s next major leap, with ambitions to establish India as a competitive player in the rapidly growing global small satellite launch market.
Latest updates
Launch: Vikram-1 lifted off from Sriharikota as scheduled under Mission Aagaman.
Mission objective: The rocket is attempting to place multiple payloads into Low Earth Orbit while validating its systems during its maiden orbital flight.
National significance: A successful mission will make Skyroot the first Indian private company to place a rocket into orbit from Indian soil, opening a new chapter for the country’s commercial space ecosystem.
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