Skyroot’s Vikram-1 set for July 18 launch in India’s first private orbital rocket attempt

Skyroot Aerospace, an innovative Indian space startup, is set to launch its Vikram-1 rocket on July 18, marking a significant milestone as India’s first private attempt at an orbital launch. The rocket is scheduled to take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 11:30 AM, as part of the ambitious Mission Aagaman. This inaugural flight will be a crucial test of the company's technology and its vision to create a commercial launch service for small satellites. Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, expressed his excitement, stating, "We have conducted extensive ground testing on Vikram-1, and we are eager to see how it performs in a real flight environment on July 18." He emphasized the importance of this test flight, noting that it will provide essential data foundational to Skyroot's future launch operations. The Vikram-1, towering at seven stories, is a multi-stage rocket designed to deliver payloads of up to 350 kg to low Earth orbit. The mission aims for an orbit approximately 450 km above the Earth at an inclination of 60 degrees. Constructed with an all-carbon composite structure, the rocket features propulsion systems developed by Skyroot, which include 3D-printed engines and solid-fuel boosters. The flight will carry several technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, and the German company DCubed, in addition to Skyroot's own SCOPE payload. Notably, it will also transport an artwork named Cosmic Bloom and a micro-art piece. Naga Bharath Daka, co-founder and COO of Skyroot, highlighted the broader significance of the mission, stating, "What we are aiming to do on July 18 is bigger than a single launch. It embodies the dreams and diligent efforts of around 1,000 people, the support from over 400 suppliers, and nearly 3,000 days of determination to establish a global presence from India." The upcoming launch follows Skyroot’s previous success with the Vikram-S suborbital mission in November 2022, which was the first privately developed Indian rocket to reach space.