With a flawless first launch, Skyroot becomes the first private company to design, build and fly an Indian rocket to orbit, deploying its own SCOPE satellite and Grahaa Space’s Solaras satellite, and other in orbit experiments, and opening a new door of access to space for the world.
Skyroot Aerospace today made history, becoming the first private company to fly an Indian-built rocket to orbit on its maiden attempt. Mission Aagaman, meaning ‘arrival’, lifted off from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, and Vikram-1 flew a nominal profile to reach its target Low Earth Orbit of approximately 450 km at a 60-degree inclination, where it successfully deployed its payloads. In doing so, Skyroot joins the exclusive group of companies able to reach orbit.
In a moment the team called the honour of a lifetime, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called to congratulate the Skyroot team on Vikram-1’s success. He has also sent a handwritten postcard inscribed with “Vande Mataram,” on the Vikram 1 to space.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Team Skyroot on the successful accomplishment of the Vikram-1 mission. This achievement is the outcome of years of innovation, perseverance and engineering excellence, and reflects the growing maturity of India’s private space sector. It is encouraging to see Indian industry translating technological capability into launch capability, complementing our national space programme. ISRO and IN-SPACe remains committed to working closely with industry partners to build a vibrant, globally competitive space ecosystem that advances India’s space ambitions.”
Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO
“This is a proud day, not just for Skyroot but for the whole country. Only a handful of nations can reach space on their own, and today a private Indian company joined that exclusive club. What lifted off today is culmination of years of work, a team of over a thousand people, and efforts of close to four hundred suppliers with it. Congratulations to team Skyroot. You have given us an India moment.”
Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe
“We are immensely proud to stand here today. Vikram-1 reached its designated orbit and deployed our own SCOPE satellite, Grahaa Space’s Solaras satellite, and other in orbit experiments making Skyroot the first private company to take a rocket to orbit on its very first flight.
What the world witnessed today is the result of years of work by our team, our partners and suppliers across the country. It proves that India has the talent, the technology and the industrial strength to build launch vehicles that meet the world’s standards and to serve the world from here.
Our mission has always been to open space for all. Today we opened that door a little wider. This is not the destination. It is the beginning. From here, we leap.
Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-founder & CEO, Skyroot Aerospace
During the flight, Vikram-1 completed every principal mission milestone, validating the performance of its propulsion, avionics, and guidance, navigation and control systems under true operational conditions. The vehicle deployed its customer payloads and generated a wealth of in-flight data that will directly inform future Vikram missions and the continued evolution of Skyroot’s launch programme.
“ Mission Aagaman is the culmination of years of engineering, rigorous testing and an unwavering commitment to solving some of the hardest problems in Space. Every milestone today reflects the dedication of hundreds of engineers, technicians and mission specialists who believed in pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
We are deeply grateful to ISRO, to IN-SPACe, and to every customer, investor and partner who stood by us. Even as we celebrate, we are already applying today’s learnings to the next chapter of the Vikram series and to building a world-class launch capability from India, for the world.”
— Naga Bharath Daka, Co-founder & COO, Skyroot Aerospace
Vikram-1 is a seven-storey-tall, multi-stage orbital launch vehicle built around an all-carbon-composite structure and powered by in-house-developed propulsion, including 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid-fuel motors — and is designed to carry small satellites of up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit. Its ultra-low-shock, ground-testable separation systems are engineered to protect the delicate satellites it carries.
On this flight, Vikram-1 carried technology-demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve and DCubed, alongside Skyroot’s own SCOPE satellite, together with Cosmos Diamonds’ artwork ‘Cosmic Bloom’ and a micro-art piece — a small, human reminder of what access to space can carry.
The success of Vikram-1 establishes the foundation for Skyroot’s commercial launch programme and reinforces India’s emergence as a major force in the global space economy. The company’s roadmap includes Vikram-2, capable of carrying up to 1,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit, with its maiden flight targeted for 2027, and a fully reusable launch vehicle, with both booster and upper stage engineered for recovery and reuse, designed to lower the cost of reaching orbit still further.
Skyroot’s mission is to open space for all. Today, from Indian soil, that mission took flight, and with it, a new destination opened on the world’s map of access to space.
