On July 18, 2026, Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 lifted off Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikotaand put its cargo in a 450-km orbit about 15-17 minutes after takeoff. The mission, named Aagaman (Sanskrit for “arrival”), was the first flight of Vikram-1, India’s first privately-launched commercial vehicle. With this launch, India became the third country in the world, after the United States and China, to have the option of opening a private sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Skyroot Aerospace for the achievement, and IN-SPACE chairman Pawan Goenka called it “India’s moment.”
Violation
Until recently, only government agencies like ISRO could design, build and launch orbital rockets in India. Vikram-1 changes this. It is a rocket built entirely by an Indian company, Skyroot Aerospace, from design to production to final completion. The rocket is called Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, known as the father of India’s space program.Think of it this way: ISRO’s PSLV and GSLV are like government-operated trains that carry satellites into space on regular schedules. Vikram-1 is Skyroot’s attempt to provide a “cab” service instead, the smaller, faster, smaller satellites that need to reach specific, customized routes quickly.Vikram-1 is not India’s first private rocket. That distinction belongs to Vikram-S, a small, single-stage rocket launched by Skyroot in November 2022 under Mission Prarambh. Vikram-1 is progressing. It is a full orbit vehicle, meaning it can carry a satellite into Earth orbit instead of touching the edge of space and returning to Earth.
The way
Vikram-1 is a four-stage rocket, about 20-24 meters tall, built mainly from carbon composite materials for light weight. Its parts are:
- Three solid fuel units, named Kalam-1200, Kalam-250 and Kalam-100 after the former President and rocket scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. This provides the initial boost from the air.
- Orbital Adjustment Module (OAM) fluid, which uses a 3D printed engine. Unlike solid-state units that burn once, OAM can start, stop and restart in space, allowing for precise, end-to-end satellite positioning at their entry point.
The rocket is designed to carry a payload of up to 350 kg to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of about 450 km. On its maiden voyage, it carried technology exhibits from companies such as Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve Space and Germany’s DCUBED, as well as symbolic goods including a handwritten postcard from PM Modi and lab-grown diamond art.Aagaman was described as a test flight, the first of three flights planned to prove the rocket before Skyroot began regular commercials.
Appropriate institutions, laws and policies
- ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation): The National Space Agency of India. For Vikram-1, ISRO supported the secret mission with equipment such as engine launch, liquid engine testing, trajectory analysis and use of the launch pad at Sriharikota.
- IN-SPACE (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center): An independent, single-window agency under the Department of Space, established in 2020. It authorizes and regulates private sector activities in India, including licensing companies like Skyroot.
- Department of Space (DOS): A major government department that oversees India’s space program, which ISRO and IN-SPACE work on.
Indian Space Policy 2023: The policy opened up the space sector to engage in all high-value activities, from manufacturing satellites and launching vehicles to providing launch services, ISRO is focusing on research, exploration and technology development.- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) stock price history A government agency working under the auspices of DOS that commercializes ISRO technologies and helps build India’s first vehicles.
Importance of India
The success of Vikram-1 is an important milestone in the transformation of the Indian sector that began after 2020, when the sector was opened up to private players. It shows that India’s private sector can now compete in the global satellite launch market, which is growing rapidly as the demand for earth observation satellites, communications and technology increases. A successful ecosystem could also allow ISRO to focus on larger projects such as the Gaganyaan space program, planetary exploration and heavy launch vehicles, while private players run smaller, more frequent operations. Skyroot, which was founded in 2018 and is based in Hyderabad, is one of India’s leading technology companies and had already achieved Vikram-S in 2022.
Prelims point box
Mains attempt questions
“Success of Vikram-1 shows the maturity of India’s business environment.” Discuss the changes that facilitated private participation in India’s space program and examine the opportunities and challenges for ISRO and private players moving forward. (250 words)
Quick questions
Q1. Consider the following statement about Vikram-1:
- It is India’s first privately developed orbital-class vehicle.
- It was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center.
- It uses liquid only in all its parts.
Which of the statements given above is correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 3 onlyAnswer: (a) Vikram-1 uses three solid propellants and one liquid propellant for the Orbital Adjustment Module, not liquid propulsion throughout.Q2. The work of “Aagaman” is related to which of the following?(a) ISRO’s Gaganyaan program (b) Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 female orbiter (c) Launch of NSIL commercial satellite (d) India’s first lunar missionAnswer: (b)Q3. Which agency gave permission to launch Vikram-1 secretly?(a) Department of Space (b) ISRO (c) IN-SPACE (d) NSILAnswer: (c) IN-SPACE is a single window agency that accepts private transactions in India.Q4. Vikram-1 is named after which personality?(a) Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (b) Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (c) Dr. Satish Dhawan (d) Dr. Homi J. BhabhaAnswer: (b)Q5. With the successful orbital launch of Vikram-1, India became the ______ country in the world with a private launch capability.(a) First (b) Second (c) Third (d) FourthAnswer: (c) After the United States and China.
Five important words to remember
- Orbital Adjustment Module (OAM): Vikram-1’s liquid-filled final stage places the payload in its intended orbit and is capable of relaunching in space.
- During: An independent body that accredits and regulates the activities of the private sector in India.
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO): An orbit around the earth at an altitude often below 2,000 km; Vikram-1 aims to orbit 450 km.
- Indian Space Policy, 2023: A policy that opened up India’s aerospace sector, including basic vehicles, to private companies.
- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) stock price history A commercial arm of the Indian Department of Space that commercializes ISRO technologies and enables industrialized launch vehicles.