Skyroot Aerospace will launch Vikram-1 on Saturday in what could become India's first private orbital rocket launch.
The mission will test the launch vehicle's systems before future commercial satellite launches.
A successful flight would make Skyroot the first private Indian company to place a rocket into orbit.
India's First Space Unicorn Skyroot Set for First Private Orbital Rocket Launch
The Vikram-1 mission marks Skyroot Aerospace's transition from suborbital testing to orbital launches and could become a major milestone for India's private space sector
Summary
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Summary
Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace is set to launch its first orbital rocket, Vikram-1, on Saturday, marking a major milestone for India's private space sector.
The launch, designated Mission Aagaman, was scheduled for 11:30 am IST on July 18 from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, according to an India Today report. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is supporting the mission.
The flight aims to place the rocket into low-Earth orbit (LEO), where most Earth observation and communication satellites operate. This follows Skyroot's successful Vikram-S suborbital mission in November 2022, which briefly crossed the edge of space before returning to Earth.
How Vikram-1 Works
Vikram-1 is a four-stage launch vehicle that stands about seven storeys tall and is designed to carry small satellites into orbit.
The rocket uses solid-fuel propulsion for its first three stages, while the upper stage runs on liquid fuel and can be restarted in space. This allows the vehicle to deploy satellites into their intended orbits with greater precision.
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The mission is primarily a technology demonstration rather than a commercial launch. Engineers will evaluate the rocket's flight software, stage separation, guidance and navigation systems, propulsion performance and overall mission execution.
The rocket is also carrying technology payloads from Indian and international partners to validate its satellite deployment capabilities for future commercial missions.
Skyroot's Journey
Skyroot Aerospace was founded in 2018 by former ISRO engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, following the opening of India's space sector to private companies.
Its first launch, Vikram-S, successfully demonstrated around 80% of the technologies now integrated into Vikram-1.
Mission Aagaman marks the company's transition from suborbital testing to full-fledged orbital missions.
Why the Mission Matters
A successful launch would make Skyroot the first private Indian company to place a rocket into orbit, strengthening India's growing commercial space ecosystem.
The mission could also provide satellite operators with a domestic launch option as India's private space industry continues to expand.
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For Skyroot, Vikram-1 is the first in a planned family of launch vehicles aimed at making satellite launches more frequent, flexible and cost-effective. The company says the programme will support India's ambition to become a bigger player in the global space economy.