Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his wishes to Skyroot Aerospace ahead of the maiden orbital flight of Vikram-1, describing the mission as a landmark moment in India's space programme and a major step for the country's private space industry.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the launch of Vikram-1, India's first privately developed launch vehicle, was scheduled for 11:30 am.
"At 11:30 am today, Skyroot Aerospace will undertake the maiden orbital launch of Vikram-1, India's first privately developed launch vehicle," he said.
Modi noted that the four-stage rocket has been developed to offer rapid, on-demand launch services and said the mission reflected the potential of India's young innovators.
"This mission highlights the talent, determination and entrepreneurial spirit of our youth. It also shows how our space-sector reforms are unlocking new opportunities for innovation and enterprise," Modi said.
Sending his best wishes to the Skyroot Aerospace team, the Prime Minister added, "May Vikram-1 soar high, create history and inspire a generation of innovators."
He also urged people across the country, especially young Indians, to watch the launch and express their support using the hashtag #IndiaWithVikram1.
The mission, named Mission Aagaman, will see Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace attempt to place satellites into orbit using a rocket designed and built entirely by a private Indian company. The launch is scheduled to take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
According to Skyroot's website, the 24-metre-tall Vikram-1 features a lightweight carbon-composite structure and is powered by three solid-fuel stages along with a liquid-fuelled orbital adjustment module.
The launch vehicle is capable of carrying payloads of up to 350 kilograms to a 450-km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at a 60-degree inclination. One of the payloads on board is Diamond Lotus, a lab-grown diamond created by Bengaluru-based Cosmos Diamonds.
IN-SPACe Technical Director Rajesh Jothi said the mission reflects the rapid growth of India's private space sector following the Centre's reforms introduced in 2020.
“We are seeing the growth of the private sector,” Jothi told ANI.
"We started with hardly five or six startup companies, and today we have more than 400 startups. This has happened because of the government space reforms in 2020, after which IN-SPACE was formed in 2022. The vision of our Prime Minister is now being implemented, and we are seeing the outcome of the space policy," he said.
Jothi said a successful launch would significantly strengthen India's position in the small satellite launch segment.
"Skyroot is now going to launch its first maiden launch vehicle, which will be the first of its kind. Not only in India, but outside India as well, only one or two countries have such a small satellite launch vehicle. If this succeeds, it is going to give a boost to both the small satellite market and the small launch vehicle market," he added.
Skyroot Aerospace Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Naga Bharath Daka said the company was established eight years ago with the goal of providing affordable, reliable launch services from India to satellite operators worldwide.
"We started Skyroot around eight years ago with an aim to build affordable, reliable rockets from India to the world and provide affordable, reliable and on-demand launch access solutions for satellite operators around the world. All our effort and the team's effort are culminating today in this historic milestone," he told ANI.
