Vikram-1 Launch Today: India’s first private orbital rocket will be launched today, if successful, new history will be made in space.

New Delhi: India’s space sector today stands on the threshold of writing a new history. The first orbital rocket Vikram-1 of Hyderabad-based private company Skyroot Aerospace will be launched today at 11:30 am from Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota.

This campaign named ‘Mission Arrival’ is being considered an important milestone for India’s private space companies. If this mission is successful, India will be able to establish its strong presence in the global private launch market.

Important day for India’s private space sector

Vikram-1 is India’s first orbital launch vehicle designed, developed and manufactured by a private company. All technical tests of the rocket, telemetry system and tracking system testing have been completed before launch. Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder and CEO of Skyroot, said that all the necessary tests on the ground have been successfully completed and now the real test will be during the flight.

What is the specialty of Vikram-1?

Vikram-1, about seven storeys high, is a modern launch vehicle, which is completely made of carbon composite structure. A 3D-printed engine and powerful solid rocket motor developed by the company has been used in it. This rocket is capable of carrying a payload of up to 350 kg.

Among the payloads on Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 is something truly special—a handwritten postcard from Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi with the words, “Vande Mataram.” 🇮🇳🚀

It travels to space alongside handwritten messages from our team, investors, policymakers, and… pic.twitter.com/sJajN6NiVJ

— Skyroot Aerospace (@SkyrootA) July 17, 2026

During the mission, Vikram-1 will try to place several technical payloads in the 450 km high Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Along with this, some symbolic messages will also be sent, which include handwritten ‘Vande Mataram’ message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, messages from current and former ISRO chairmen, Indian astronauts and the Skyroot team.

India’s new flight in the global market

Earlier in the year 2022, Skyroot had successfully completed the Vikram-S suborbital mission. Now the success of Vikram-1 can prove to be a big step towards regular commercial launches for the company.

The demand for launching small satellites is increasing rapidly around the world. In such a situation, if this mission is successful, India’s private space industry will create a new identity on the global stage. It will also be proved that in future ISRO and private companies together can take India’s space program to new heights.