India’s Space Race Enters New Era: Vikram-1 Set for Launch
India’s private space sector marked a historic milestone as the country’s first privately developed orbital rocket, Vikram-1, built by Skyroot Aerospace, was formally flagged off for its journey to the launch site. The ambitious mission was inaugurated by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at the company’s Max-Q campus in Hyderabad.
Anil Bedag
Apr 25, 2026 06:53
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Mumbai (Anil Bedag): India’s private space sector marked a historic milestone as the country’s first privately developed orbital rocket, Vikram-1, built by Skyroot Aerospace, was formally flagged off for its journey to the launch site. The ambitious mission was inaugurated by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at the company’s Max-Q campus in Hyderabad.
State IT, Electronics, and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu was also present at the event. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister flagged off the rocket’s space-ready payload fairing—an essential structure that ensures the safety of satellites during flight.
Calling it a “milestone” for Telangana’s aerospace sector, Revanth Reddy reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to building a globally competitive ecosystem. He also emphasized creating skill development opportunities for youth in the space and technology sectors.
Skyroot Aerospace Co-founder and CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana described the development as a defining moment for India’s private space industry. He stated that Vikram-1 aims to make on-demand satellite launch services more accessible in the global market.
All major tests of the rocket have been successfully completed, and its propulsion stages have already reached the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The upcoming launch of Vikram-1 is seen as a significant step toward establishing India as a strong player in the global private space launch market.
