Skyroot's Vikram-I Makes Historic Orbital Launch

Sriharikota: India achieved a major milestone in its space journey on Saturday as Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-I successfully lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), becoming the first privately developed Indian rocket to achieve an orbital launch from Indian soil.

The launch took place at 12:05:30 pm, marking a landmark moment for India's space sector following the government's 2020 reforms that opened space activities to private participation.

Vikram-I carried multiple payloads, including two satellites, SCOPE and Grahaa, which were successfully deployed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Additional payloads onboard the upper stage will conduct various in-orbit experiments.

The mission also marked Skyroot Aerospace's first orbital launch attempt after the successful sub-orbital flight of Vikram-S in November 2022. Vikram-I is a four-stage launch vehicle comprising three solid propulsion stages and one liquid upper stage, designed to place small satellites into orbit.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) played a key role in supporting the mission by providing technical guidance, testing facilities and launch infrastructure.

ISRO facilitated solid motor casting, static testing, liquid engine testing, vehicle integration, trajectory analysis and launch pad operations at Sriharikota. Its safety teams also provided round-the-clock operational support during mission preparation.

IN-SPACe coordinated regulatory approvals, technical reviews and launch clearances while enabling Skyroot to access ISRO's facilities under the country's space sector reforms.

The successful mission establishes Skyroot Aerospace as the first private Indian company to place a rocket into orbit from Indian soil on its maiden attempt. The achievement is expected to accelerate the growth of India's commercial space industry and strengthen the country's position in the global small satellite launch market.

ISRO and IN-SPACe congratulated the Skyroot Aerospace team, describing the mission as a major step towards expanding private participation and unlocking new global commercial opportunities in the space sector.