In a historic first for India’s rapidly evolving space-tech sector, Skyroot Aerospace — backed by the likes of GIC, Temasek, Blackrock among others — has successfully launched ‘Vikram-1’, its first launch vehicle. With that, Skyroot became India’s private space company to launch its own rocket for low orbital launches.
The launch happened at ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Launchpad at Sriharikota — India’s epicentre for space activities. The launch date was confirmed by the ISRO SDSC website, which opened registrations for the viewing gallery Thursday.
The rocket, Vikram-1, named after Vikram Sarabhai — regarded as the ‘Father of India’s space program’ — is a seven storey-tall rocket. It has taken Skyroot nearly 8 years and $160Mn+ in fundraise to be able to reach today’s stage. Once successful, subsequent launches could become more frequent and cheaper as technology evolves.
The launch was part of Skyroot’s first low-orbit (<450km) mission, the “Mission Aagaman”. The Vikram-1 rocket used in the launch is built with an all-carbon composite structure, reliable solid-fuel boosters and a 3D-printed liquid engine, making it among very few global space companies to have 3D-printed a rocket engine.
Apart of demonstrating launch capaibility, the rocket also successfully deployed its first payloads. Vikram-1’s maiden flight successfully deployed Grahaa Space’s SOLARAS satellite and Skyroot’s own SCOPE technology-demonstration satellite, while carrying in-orbit experiments from Cosmoserve Space and DCUBED.
The mission also carried Cosmos Diamonds’ Cosmic Bloom diamond, along with micro-artist Ajay Kumar’s extraordinary creations—a microscopic 18K gold rocket and intricate micro-sculptures honouring Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Sir C.V. Raman. A tribute to India’s scientific legacy, carried into space alongside the mission.