Why Skyroot's rocket launch is a turning point for India's space industry
The Vikram-1 rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 6:35 am GMT, leaving behind a plume of fire and smoke, carrying several customer payloads and in-orbit experiments on its maiden orbital mission, dubbed "Mission Aagaman"
Highlights:
- Vikram-1 lifted off from Sriharikota carrying customer payloads
- Rocket is designed to carry payloads of up to 350 kg into low-Earth orbit
- India targets a $44 billion space economy by 2033
India's first private orbital-class rocket, Vikram-1, carrying six technology demonstration payloads, today lifted off from a spaceport in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, about 100 km from Chennai, and successfully placed them into the intended orbit, the company announced.
This marks a historic milestone for the country's commercial space sector, executed by Hyderabad-based space start-up Skyroot Aerospace.
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"India's first privately developed orbital rocket has injected its payloads into a 450 km orbit, making India the world's third country with private orbital launch capability. History is made," Skyroot Aerospace posted on X.
On a cloudy day, the seven-storey-tall, four-stage rocket lifted off at 12.05 pm (local time) from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
Following a "planned hold" due to apparent navigation issues, the launch was rescheduled 35 minutes behind the original time of 11.30 am.
After its initial journey of less than 16 minutes, Vikram-1 placed the payloads, both domestic and foreign, into low Earth orbit (LEO).
Vikram-1, named after the legendary Vikram Sarabhai, regarded as the father of India's space programme, is built with an all-carbon composite structure and powered by in-house developed propulsion systems, including 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid-fuel rocket boosters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Skyroot Aerospace by telephone over the success.
Ahead of today's launch, Modi said it "marks the opening of a new frontier for India's space ambitions and reflects the country's growing capabilities in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship."
