New Delhi: India has made history today by achieving another major milestone. Skyroot Aerospace, a private Indian space company, has brought glory to the nation with this significant accomplishment. The company’s Vikram-1 rocket was successfully launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This marks one of India’s first orbital rocket launches by the private sector.
This achievement has filled the entire nation with pride. Both government and private space entities in India are working hard to attain new milestones at various levels. India achieved this success this morning.
A Major Milestone for the Private Space Sector
The Vikram-1 rocket was launched at approximately 11:30 AM. The rocket completed all its scheduled stages, and the satellite was placed into the correct orbit. ISRO scientists oversaw the entire launch command process. The private space company named this mission ‘Aagaman’ (Arrival).
This launch represents a significant opportunity not just for Skyroot, but for the country’s entire private space sector. The central government implemented major policy changes in 2020, granting private companies permission to work on rockets, satellites, and launch services.
Previous Achievements
It is worth noting that Skyroot had previously launched a sub-orbital rocket named Vikram-S in 2022. That mission did not involve placing a satellite into orbit; the objective this time is entirely different. Vikram-1 will carry small satellites for multiple customers into Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), at an altitude of approximately 450 kilometres above Earth. This is the first of three planned development missions, after which the rocket will be prepared for regular commercial launches.
Why are orbital rockets significant? Are you aware of the significant difference between sub-orbital and orbital rockets? A sub-orbital rocket travels to space and returns, whereas an orbital rocket propels a satellite at a speed high enough for it to orbit the Earth. If Vikram-1 succeeds, it will mark the first time an Indian private company’s rocket achieves this feat.
Key Features of Vikram-1
Vikram-1 is a four-stage rocket. Solid fuel is used in the first three stages, while the fourth stage utilises a liquid-fuel engine. This engine can be restarted if necessary, aiding in placing the satellite precisely into its designated orbit. The rocket is specifically designed to launch small satellites.
How Skyroot Began
It is worth noting that Skyroot Aerospace was founded in 2018 by former ISRO engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka. Following the opening up of the space sector in 2020, the company accelerated its work on developing orbital rockets. Vikram-1 now represents a major milestone in that journey. If this mission succeeds, it will significantly strengthen India’s private space sector and enable a greater number of commercial satellite launches from the country in the future.
