New Delhi : India has achieved a historic milestone in space exploration as Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket by Skyroot Aerospace, successfully launched and completed its maiden test flight and reached orbit.
The rocket completed its final burn sequence and successfully injected payloads into a 450 km orbit, marking a significant breakthrough for India’s private space sector. With this achievement, India has become the third country in the world to demonstrate private orbital launch capability.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the entire Skyroot Aerospace team through a telephonic conversation following the successful launch under #MissionAagaman. He hailed the achievement as a landmark moment in India’s journey towards becoming a global space power.
Speaking on the historic launch, Pawan Kumar Chandana, CEO and Co-founder of Skyroot Aerospace, said the mission represents a major turning point for India’s space ecosystem. He highlighted that this is the first time an Indian private company has independently built a rocket, developed the launch infrastructure, and successfully carried out an orbital launch.
Calling it a proud moment for the nation and the global space industry, Chandana said that a young team with an average age of just 28 years built India’s first private orbital rocket. He further revealed that Vikram-1 is completely manufactured using advanced carbon composite technology, making it lighter, stronger, and more efficient.
The successful launch of Vikram-1 marks a new chapter in India’s space ambitions, showcasing the growing role of private innovation, indigenous technology, and startups in shaping the future of the country’s space sector.