India’s first private orbital rocket Vikram-1 ready for launch

This photo taken on July 7 shows a model of the Vikram-1 orbital rocket on display at the Skyroot Aerospace facility on the outskirts of Hyderabad. | Photo credit: AFP

Forty-six years after India successfully launched its first experimental Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3), history is set to repeat itself as Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket, is set to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota on July 18 (Saturday) at 11:30 am.

On July 18, 1980, India became the sixth member of the exclusive club of space nations when SLV-3 was successfully launched from the same location and placed the Rohini satellite (RS-1) into orbit.

Developed by private space company Skyroot Aerospace, Vikram-1 is a seven-story, 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 a 60° inclination. Vikram-1 will carry six technology demos from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed, and SCOPE Skyroot’s own, along with Cosmos Diamonds’ “Cosmic Bloom” artwork and microartwork.

Skyroot Aerospace said the launch decks have been cleared by India’s National Center for Space Support and Authorization (IN-SPACE) – the government agency that supports, authorizes and oversees private sector space activities – granting the launch clearance.

“We have gone all out 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 introduce a launch cadence. We are excited to see it through to completion,” said Chanroot and SkySpace CEO Kumarro.

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’s flight sequence, from liftoff to orbital injection, will include 14 stages and the total flight time will be 15.46 minutes.

A handwritten postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also travel to space on Vikram-1 along with hundreds of postcards from well-wishers around the world.

“Among the cargo of Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 is something truly special – a handwritten postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the words ‘Vande Mataram’. It travels into space along with handwritten messages from our team, investors, politicians and supporters from around the world, making the mission carried by many Aagamans a celebration.

Published – 17 Jul 2026 20:18 IST