Overview
On 18 July 2026, Skyroot Aerospace successfully placed its Vikram‑1 rocket into Low‑Earth Orbit (LEO). The mission, named ‘Aagaman’ (Hindi for ‘arrival’), is the first private orbital launch from India, breaking the historic monopoly of the ISRO in orbital missions.
Key Developments
- India’s private space policy, driven by IN‑SPACe, allowed Skyroot to use ISRO infrastructure for the launch.
- Vikram‑1 is a four‑stage vehicle: the first three stages use solid propellant, the fourth uses liquid propellant.
- The rocket demonstrated stage‑separation, propulsion, guidance, navigation, avionics, fairing deployment, and successful orbital insertion.
- Payload capacity: 290 kg to a Sun‑synchronous orbit (SSO) at 500 km, and 480 kg to a low‑inclination orbit of similar altitude.
- Skyroot plans two more developmental flights before offering commercial services.
Important Facts
Founded in 2018 by former ISRO engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot achieved its first sub‑orbital success with Vikram‑S in 2022. The company aims to produce one Vikram‑1 per month once the production line is streamlined. A future Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) called Vikram‑2 is slated for a 2027 maiden flight, targeting up to 1,000