India’s first privately developed Vikram-1 orbital-class rocket was scheduled to launch on July 18

India’s first privately developed Vikram-1 orbital class rocket on the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

India’s first privately developed Vikram-1 orbital class rocket will be launched on July 18, 2026 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota.

Private space company Skyroot Aerospace announced on Thursday (July 16, 2026) that it will attempt to launch Vikram-1 from the spaceport’s first launch pad at 11:30 am.

“We have done everything possible to test Vikram-1 on the ground. On July 18, we look forward to seeing Vikram-1 perform in a real flight environment for the first time. This is our first test flight and we will be getting valuable data from it. This will be the basis for Skyroot’s aspirations to create a launch cadence,” enthuses Pafo Chandan, CEO Co-founderawan. Skyroot Aerospace.

Skyroot reported that all stages of Vikram-1 were successfully integrated and stacked on the launch pad. Final integrated vehicle checks were then completed on the launch pad from the Skyroot launch control center along with interface checks with all ground telemetry stations and tracking radars.

Vikram-1 is a seven-stage multi-stage orbital launch vehicle built with an all-carbon composite structure and powered by proprietary propulsion systems, including 3D printed engines and high-pressure solid-fuel rocket boosters. Designed to launch small satellites weighing up to 350 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO), its first test flight is aimed at a 450 km orbit with an inclination of 60°.

Vikram-1 will carry technology demos from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed, and SCOPE Skyroot’s own, along with Cosmos Diamonds’ “Cosmic Bloom” artwork and microartwork.

“The small satellite launch market is severely constrained on the supply side. At the same time, demand for the services that enable satellites in space will only continue to grow, and therein lies the Skyroot opportunity. The clearance of Vikram-1 to fly after rigorous tests is a defining milestone in India’s space journey. This first test flight marks the beginning of the opening of Skyroot and Chandan space.”

Naga Bharath Daka, co-founder and COO, Skyroot Aerospace, said the launch represents the hopes and hard work of around 1,000 people, contributions from over 400 suppliers and nearly 3,000 days of commitment to build a global offering from India.

“This test flight will show us how each technology we have developed over the years performs in real-world conditions. With the in-flight data collected from this mission, we will go back to the workshop to learn, improve and build further. This test flight is the first step to creating a reliable, on-demand launch company for the world from India,” he said.

Published – 16 Jul 2026 17:28 IST