Vikram-1: Skyroot Launches India’s 1st Private Orbital Rocket From Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota (Video)
India achieved a major milestone in its space journey on Saturday as Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, the country's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota.
New Delhi, July 18: India scripted a historic chapter in its space journey on Saturday as Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, the country's first privately developed orbital rocket, under Mission Aagaman, making India only the third nation after the United States and China to have a private company capable of launching a rocket into orbit. The landmark mission lifted off from the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, marking a major milestone for India's rapidly expanding private space sector.
“LIFT-OFF! Vikram-1 has left the pad at Sriharikota. India's first privately developed orbital rocket is flying. History is being made,” Skyroot Aerospace said in a post on social media platform X. “Safe tower clearance. At T+10 seconds, Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 has cleared the launch tower,” it added. Skyroot Vikram-1 Launch Live Streaming: India’s First Private Orbital Rocket Set for Historic Liftoff.
Skyroot Aerospace Launches 1st Private Orbital Rocket Vikram-1
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, Vikram-1, launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota
Built by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, Vikram-1 is powered by three solid-fuel stages and a liquid orbital adjustment… pic.twitter.com/QQC9CPjcxH
— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2026
Vikram-1 Launches Successfully
🚨 𝗩𝗜𝗞𝗥𝗔𝗠-𝟭 𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗥𝗕𝗜𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧-𝗧𝗥𝗬!!
Skyroot Aerospace has successfully launched Vikram-1 into orbit around Earth on their maiden launch attempt! 🇮🇳🚀
Mission Aagaman is ACCOMPLISHED ✅️
Congrats to @SkyrootA and @isro!#Skyroot | #Vikram1 pic.twitter.com/z7Ugl3jTMF
— ISRO Spaceflight (@ISROSpaceflight) July 18, 2026
Named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India's space programme, the four-stage Vikram-1 launch vehicle is designed to provide rapid and on-demand launch services for small satellites.
The mission is also expected to strengthen India's position in the global commercial launch market. The seven-storey rocket is headed for a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of about 450 km. With the successful launch, India joined an exclusive group of nations where private companies have demonstrated orbital launch capability. Mission Aagaman: India’s First Private Orbital Rocket ‘Vikram-1’ Set for Historic Launch Today.
Skyroot Aerospace has described its long-term vision as offering a "cab service to space", enabling customers to book dedicated launches to place satellites into specific orbits or support future space missions with greater flexibility and speed.
Mission Aagaman marks Skyroot's second space mission after the successful launch of the Vikram-S suborbital rocket under Operation Prarambh in November 2022, which became the first privately built rocket to reach space from Indian soil and paved the way for India's private launch ecosystem.
Ahead of the mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had termed the launch "a historic new frontier for India's space journey" and extended his best wishes to the Skyroot Aerospace team. In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said the mission reflected the talent, determination and entrepreneurial spirit of India's youth while showcasing how the country's space sector reforms are unlocking new opportunities for innovation and enterprise.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 18, 2026 12:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
