Hyderabad's Skyroot Aerospace launches Vikram-1, India's first private orbital rocket

On July 18, 2026, Hyderabad-based space technology firm Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket. The landmark test flight, named "Mission Aagaman," lifted off at 12:05 pm from the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.

The launch was originally scheduled for 11:30 am but was briefly put on a planned hold minutes before takeoff. Upon liftoff, the rocket successfully placed multiple technology demonstration payloads and postcards, including one from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, into a low Earth orbit of approximately 450 kilometers.

The flight progressed through several critical stages. The solid first stage, Kalam-1200, carried the vehicle through the thickest part of the atmosphere and separated cleanly. Following this, the protective payload fairing shell shed, exposing the satellites to space. The second stage, Kalam-250, and the smallest solid third stage, Kalam-100, both fired and separated as designed.

To achieve the final orbit, the rocket's Orbital Adjustment Module (OAM) ignited its 3D-printed liquid engine. This final burn successfully injected the payloads into orbit. With the completion of this mission, India has become the third country in the world to possess private orbital launch capability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the founders of the Hyderabad company, describing the launch as a "historic new frontier" in India's space journey. In a phone call to the founders, the Prime Minister stated that the success of the country's maiden private rocket proves the push for self-reliance, or "Atmanirbharta."

The Vikram-1 rocket, named after the father of India's space programme Vikram Sarabhai, is designed to provide rapid and on-demand launch services. As a tribute to the team behind the project, the rocket carried the signatures of the engineers, technicians, and team members who helped build it.

Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh watched the broadcast of the launch from Delhi. IN-SPACe Chairman Dr. Pawan Goenka and former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath also extended their congratulations, calling the mission a major milestone for India and the global space industry.