India's First Private Orbital Rocket, Skyroot's Vikram-1, Eyes Historic Lift Off Of Its First Test Flight On 18 July

Skyroot Aerospace's maiden test flight of Vikram-1 will attempt to launch from the first launch pad at SDSC-SHAR on 18 July at 11:30 AM. This will be the first time an orbital-class rocket, fully designed and developed by a private player, will attempt to fly from Indian soil. Concerned authorities have issued the necessary airspace and maritime notices, formally designating the restricted zones along Vikram-1's ascent and impact corridor for launch day.

This mission is called Mission Aagaman, marking the arrival of India's private sector in the global launch business.

“We have done everything that could be done to test Vikram-1 on ground. On 18 July, we are eager to see how Vikram-1 performs in real flight environment for the first time. This is our first test flight, and we will be getting valuable data from it. This will be foundational to Skyroot's aspirations of establishing launch cadence. We are excited to see this through.”

— Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-founder & CEO, Skyroot Aerospace.

Vikram-1, will carry technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed and Skyroot's own SCOPE, along with Cosmos Diamonds' artwork "Cosmic Bloom" and a micro-art piece.

"The small satellite launch market is deeply constrained on the supply side. At the same time, the demand for services enabled by satellites in space will only continue to grow, and that is where Skyroot's opportunity lies. The clearance of Vikram-1 for flight following rigorous testing is a defining milestone in India's space journey. This first test flight marks the beginning of Skyroot's aspiration to open space for all,” added Pawan.

Mission Aagaman, meaning “the arrival”, marks Skyroot’s second mission following the successful suborbital flight of Vikram-S, the first private rocket to reach space from Indian soil, on 18 November 2022.

"What we are aiming to do on 18 July is bigger than a single launch. It represents the hopes and hard work of around 1,000 people, the contributions of over 400 suppliers, and nearly 3,000 days of resolve to build a global offering from India. This test flight will show us how every technology we have developed over the years performs in real-world conditions. With the in-flight data gathered from this mission, we will return to the shop floor to learn, improve, and build further. This test flight is the first step towards creating a reliable, on-demand launch company for the world from India."

— Naga Bharath Daka, Co-founder & COO, Skyroot Aerospace

All stages of Skyroot's Vikram-1 have been successfully integrated and stacked on the launch pad. Following which, the final integrated checks of the vehicle on the launch pad from Skyroot’s launch control centre have been completed along with the interface checks with all the telemetry ground stations and tracking radars.

Vikram-1 is a seven-storey-tall, multi-stage orbital launch vehicle 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. Designed to carry small satellites weighing up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), its first test flight is targeting a 450 km orbit at 60° inclination.

About Skyroot Aerospace

Skyroot Aerospace is a private space launch company, building the Vikram-series of launch vehicles to provide on-demand and dedicated access to space for small satellite operators worldwide.

Founded by Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, the company aims to democratize space access by designing, developing and launching a family of launch vehicles.

Skyroot made history in 2022 with the launch of Vikram-S, India's first privately built rocket to reach space. The company is now preparing for the maiden flight of Vikram-1, its orbital launch vehicle, which will mark India's first private attempt at an orbital mission.

Vikram-1 is designed to deploy small satellites of up to 350 kg to Low Earth orbit. Built with an all-carbon composite structure and powered by in-house developed solid and liquid propulsion systems — including 3D-printed engines — the rocket is engineered for rapid manufacturing and high launch cadence. Skyroot's technology stack spans carbon composite rocket structure, and solid (Kalam series), liquid (Raman series), and cryogenic (Dhawan series) propulsion systems, all developed in-house at its 250,000 sq. ft. Max-Q and Infinity campuses in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Valued at over USD 1.1 billion, Skyroot is backed by marquee global investors including GIC, Temasek, Sherpalo Ventures, and funds managed by Blackrock. Its mission: to make spaceflight as regular, reliable, and affordable as air travel — Opening Space for All.