Skyroot launches India’s first private orbital rocket Vikram-1 from Sriharikota

Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle, on 18 July 2026, marking a historic milestone for India’s commercial space sector.

Launched under Mission Aagaman, the rocket lifted off from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, using infrastructure provided by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

With this mission, Skyroot Aerospace became the first private Indian company to successfully undertake an orbital launch, making India the third country in the world to possess private orbital launch capability.

The four-stage Vikram-1 launch vehicle is named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India’s space programme, and has been designed to provide rapid, reliable and on-demand launch services for small satellites.

Built with an all-carbon composite structure, Vikram-1 is powered by indigenously developed propulsion technologies, including 3D-printed rocket engines and high-thrust solid rocket boosters.

The launch vehicle is capable of placing payloads of up to 350 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). During its maiden mission, it targeted a 450-km orbit with an inclination of 60 degrees.

Payloads Carried

Mission Aagaman successfully deployed multiple technology demonstration payloads, including:

• SCOPE payload by Skyroot Aerospace
• SOLARAS S3 satellite by Grahaa Space
• A technology demonstration payload by DCUBED
• Embrace, a robotic arm developed by Cosmoserve Space for capturing orbital debris

The mission also carried “Cosmic Bloom”, a floral artwork created by Cosmos Diamonds, along with an 18-karat gold micro-rocket containing microscopic sculptures of C. V. Raman, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, and Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, each smaller than a grain of rice, as a tribute to India’s pioneering scientists.

Additionally, Vikram-1 carried a handwritten postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi bearing the message “Vande Mataram”, along with postcards written by engineers, scientists and Indian astronauts.

Mission Background

Mission Aagaman builds upon Operation Prarambh, under which Vikram-S, India’s first privately built suborbital rocket, was successfully launched in November 2022, laying the foundation for India’s private space ecosystem. 

Key Facts about Vikram-1

• Developer: Skyroot Aerospace
• Mission: Mission Aagaman
• Launch Date: 18 July 2026
• Launch Site: First Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota
• Type: Four-stage, all-carbon composite orbital launch vehicle
• Payload Capacity: Up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Target Orbit (Maiden Mission): 450 km, 60° inclination
• Key Technologies: 3D-printed engines, high-thrust solid rocket boosters, carbon-composite structure
• Named After: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the pioneer of India’s space programme.

Source: PIB

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