New Delhi: India marked a major milestone in its space journey on Saturday as Vikram 1, the country's first privately developed orbital rocket, successfully lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The launch, carried out by Hyderabad based Skyroot Aerospace, is being seen as a historic moment that opens a new chapter for India's growing private space industry.
The mission, named Mission Aagaman, demonstrated the increasing role of private companies in India's space programme. It also highlighted how the country's space sector has rapidly evolved since the government opened it to private participation in 2020. The successful launch places India among a select group of nations where a private company has independently developed and launched an orbital class rocket.
The launch did not begin exactly as planned. The countdown was briefly paused just minutes before liftoff after an automated system detected a technical issue. Engineers quickly reviewed the data and completed the required checks before giving the green signal to continue. After a delay of around 35 minutes, Vikram 1 lifted off successfully, drawing applause from scientists, engineers and invited guests at the launch site.
As the rocket climbed into the sky, it completed each stage of its flight according to plan. Around 15 minutes after liftoff, Vikram 1 successfully deployed its payloads into a low Earth orbit at an altitude of about 450 kilometres. Mission control confirmed that all key objectives had been achieved, making the launch a complete success.
Vikram 1 is a 22 metre tall four stage launch vehicle designed specifically for carrying small satellites into orbit. The rocket combines solid propulsion stages with a liquid fuel powered final stage that helps place satellites accurately into their intended orbit. It also features lightweight carbon composite structures and advanced 3D printed engine technology, reflecting the growing technical capabilities of India's private aerospace sector.
The mission carried six payloads, including technology demonstration satellites and experimental payloads from Indian and international customers. These payloads will help test new technologies while also demonstrating the rocket's ability to support future commercial satellite launches.
Skyroot Aerospace, founded in 2018 by former Indian Space Research Organisation scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, has steadily worked towards this achievement. The company first gained national attention in 2022 when it launched Vikram S, India's first privately built suborbital rocket. The success of Vikram 1 now represents the company's biggest achievement and establishes it as an important player in the global commercial launch market.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Skyroot Aerospace team following the successful mission. He described the launch as another proud moment for India's scientific community and said it reflected the country's growing strength in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.
Industry experts believe the mission is a significant step towards making India a major destination for commercial satellite launches. Demand for launching small satellites has increased worldwide as governments, research institutions and private companies continue to expand communication, Earth observation and scientific missions.
India has set ambitious goals for its space economy over the coming decade. The government hopes to increase the country's space economy from about 8 billion dollars today to around 44 billion dollars by 2033 through greater private sector participation, expanded satellite manufacturing and increased launch services.
The success of Vikram 1 is expected to encourage more private investment in India's space sector while strengthening confidence among global customers looking for reliable and cost effective launch services. As Skyroot Aerospace prepares for future commercial missions, the successful flight of Vikram 1 is widely regarded as a defining moment that signals the beginning of a new era for India's private space industry.