Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace is set to attempt India’s first privately developed orbital rocket launch on Saturday with Vikram-1, a mission that could mark a new chapter for the country’s commercial space industry.
Mission Aagaman is scheduled for lift-off at 11.30 am from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. If successful, the flight will mark India’s entry into the private orbital launch segment and could strengthen the country’s commercial space ambitions.
Mission Aagaman to test India’s first private orbital launch vehicle
Vikram-1 has been designed and developed by Skyroot Aerospace. The company says the mission represents a major step for India’s growing private space ecosystem and is expected to demonstrate the country’s capability to build and launch orbital rockets through private enterprise.
Ahead of the launch, Skyroot said it had secured all required airspace and maritime clearances. Authorities have also notified restricted airspace and designated maritime zones along the rocket’s planned flight path and impact corridor for the mission.
Second mission for Skyroot Aerospace
Mission Aagaman follows Skyroot’s first spaceflight in November 2022, when it successfully launched the Vikram-S suborbital rocket.
For the upcoming test flight, the company is also carrying a set of symbolic payloads. Among them is a handwritten postcard by Prime Minister Narendra Modi bearing the words “Vande Mataram.”
Skyroot said the rocket will also carry handwritten notes from its employees, investors, policymakers and supporters from different parts of the world.
Describing the initiative as “a celebration carried by many hands and shared by millions,” the company said the keepsakes reflect the collective support behind India’s emerging private space programme.
According to Skyroot, the symbolic payloads represent the shared vision and collaborative efforts that have contributed to the country’s expanding role in space exploration and innovation.
A successful mission is expected to boost confidence in India’s private launch industry and support new opportunities in the commercial satellite launch market.