New Delhi, Jul 18: India’s first privately developed orbital-class launch vehicle, Vikram-1, lifted off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Saturday, marking a major milestone for the country’s fast-growing commercial space sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated the Skyroot Aerospace team on the successful launch of Vikram-1, describing it as “a defining moment in India’s space journey” and highlighting the growing role of the private sector in advancing the country’s space ambitions.
After the successful liftoff, PM Modi spoke to the Skyroot team and lauded the achievement, saying the increasing participation of private companies was opening new frontiers and accelerating innovation. “This is a defining moment in India’s space journey. The growing participation of our private sector is opening new frontiers and accelerating innovation,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X. He said the successful mission would inspire the next generation of innovators.
“This achievement will encourage countless youngsters to dream bigger and innovate fearlessly,” PM Modi said. Developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, the launch, named Mission Aagaman, is the maiden orbital flight of an Indian private rocket and is expected to demonstrate the country’s indigenous private launch capability. The seven-storey, four-stage rocket blasted off from the First Launch Pad at 12.05 pm, about 35 minutes behind its scheduled launch time after a planned hold to address an apparent navigation issue, PTI reported.
Named after space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai, the rocket is designed to place payloads of up to 350 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). During its maiden mission, Vikram-1 is expected to deploy multiple technology demonstration payloads into a 450-km orbit with a 60-degree inclination after a flight of nearly 16 minutes, according to PTI. The launch vehicle features an all-carbon composite structure and is powered by propulsion systems developed by Skyroot, including 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid rocket boosters. The mission is carrying technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, Germany-based DCUBED and Skyroot’s own SCOPE satellite, besides an artwork titled Cosmic Bloom. It is also carrying a postcard bearing a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, PTI reported.
The launch comes amid rapid expansion of India’s private space ecosystem following a series of government reforms. The Indian Space Policy 2023 opened satellite manufacturing, launch services and related space activities to private companies, ending ISRO’s monopoly in several segments. According to official figures, India’s space startup ecosystem has grown from a single startup in 2014 to more than 400 in 2026. The country’s space economy, currently estimated at around USD 8.4 billion, is projected to reach USD 40-45 billion by 2030, with a long-term goal of touching USD 100 billion by 2040.
The government has also established the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) as the single-window regulator for private space activities and introduced funding schemes, including a `1,000-crore venture capital fund and a `500-crore technology adoption fund, to support the emerging ecosystem.
Officials say the successful launch of Vikram-1 represents another significant step in India’s efforts to build a globally competitive commercial space industry, with private companies expected to play an increasingly important role in launch services, satellite technologies and space-based applications.
