Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described the maiden launch of Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 as “a historic new frontier” for India’s space programme, as the Hyderabad-based startup prepared to launch Mission Aagaman from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota. The liftoff is scheduled for 11:30 am IST and will mark India’s first attempt by a private company to place payloads into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) using an indigenously developed orbital launch vehicle.
PM Modi Congratulates Skyroot Ahead of Historic Launch
Ahead of the launch, the Prime Minister praised India’s growing private space sector and highlighted the significance of the mission in a post on X, “A historic new frontier for India’s space journey! At 11:30 AM today, Skyroot Aerospace will undertake the maiden orbital launch of Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed launch vehicle. This four-stage rocket is designed to provide rapid and on-demand launch services.”
He further wrote, “My best wishes to the entire Skyroot Aerospace team for a successful launch. May Vikram-1 soar high, create history and inspire a generation of innovators. I urge all Indians, especially my young friends, to follow this historic mission and join in wishing Team Skyroot success using #IndiaWithVikram1.”
Why Mission Aagaman Is a Milestone
Mission Aagaman is the first orbital launch attempt by an Indian private company and is expected to be a landmark moment for the country’s commercial space industry. A successful flight would establish Skyroot Aerospace as the first Indian private firm to place payloads into orbit using its own launch vehicle, opening new opportunities in the global small satellite launch market.
What Is Vikram-1?
Vikram-1 is a 24-metre-tall, four-stage launch vehicle developed entirely by Skyroot Aerospace. The rocket uses three solid-fuel stages and a liquid-fuel orbital adjustment module, enabling it to carry payloads of up to 350 kg to a 450-km Low Earth Orbit.
The maiden mission will deploy several technology demonstration payloads from Indian and international customers, including Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed, and Skyroot’s SCOPE platform. It will also carry Bengaluru-based Cosmos Diamonds’ “Diamond Lotus” micro-art payload.
Vikram-1 to Carry PM Modi’s ‘Vande Mataram’ Postcard
Among the symbolic payloads aboard Vikram-1 is a handwritten postcard by Prime Minister Modi bearing the words “Vande Mataram.” The rocket will also carry handwritten postcards from engineers, scientists and Indian astronauts, along with several technology demonstration payloads.
Former ISRO Chief and IN-SPACe Welcome the Mission
Former ISRO Chairman S Somanath extended his wishes to the Skyroot team, calling the launch much more than just the maiden flight of a rocket and describing it as the arrival of India’s private rocket-building capability. Meanwhile, IN-SPACe Technical Director Rajesh Jothi said the mission reflects the rapid expansion of India’s private space ecosystem since the sector was opened to private players in 2020. He noted that the number of Indian space startups has grown from just a handful to more than 400 in recent years.
Engineering Data Will Support Future Commercial Missions
Skyroot Aerospace said data collected during Mission Aagaman will help validate Vikram-1’s guidance, navigation and flight systems. The findings will be used to further refine the launch vehicle before it begins regular commercial satellite missions. If the mission succeeds, it will mark a defining moment for India’s private space industry, strengthening the country’s ambitions to become a major player in the global commercial launch market
