India’s Vikram-1 Set for Historic Orbital Launch on July 18
India’s private space sector is on the verge of a historic milestone. Skyroot Aerospace, the Hyderabad-based startup that became India’s first spacetech unicorn, is set to launch Vikram-1 — the country’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket — on July 18 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The mission, named Aagaman (Sanskrit for “the arrival”), is scheduled to lift off at 11:30 am IST from the first launch pad. It marks the first time an Indian private company will attempt to place satellites into orbit using its own launch vehicle, independent of a government-developed rocket program.
From suborbital to orbital
Mission Aagaman follows Skyroot’s successful Vikram-S flight in November 2022, when the company became the first private Indian entity to reach space with a suborbital sounding rocket. That mission validated the core technologies underpinning Vikram-1 and set the stage for what comes next.
“We have done everything that could be done to test Vikram-1 on the ground,” said Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace. “The moment Vikram-1 lifts off, India’s private space industry will cross a threshold it has never crossed before.”
The primary objective of the maiden flight is to capture real in-flight performance data that ground testing cannot replicate: acoustic vibrations, thermal conditions during supersonic ascent, stage separation dynamics, vehicle stability, and propulsion efficiency. This data will be critical for refining the rocket for future commercial operations.
Vikram-1 specifications
Standing approximately 20 to 24 meters (65 to 79 feet) tall, Vikram-1 is a four-stage launch vehicle built around an all-carbon composite airframe that reduces weight while maintaining structural strength. The rocket is capable of delivering payloads of up to 350 kilograms (770 pounds) to low Earth orbit (LEO) or 260 kilograms (570 pounds) to Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).
The first three stages — Kalam-1200, Kalam-250, and Kalam-100 — are solid-fueled, named after Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former Indian president and aerospace scientist. The fourth stage, Raman-I, is a hypergolic liquid engine named after physicist C.V. Raman, providing precise orbital adjustments. Notable technologies include 3D-printed engine components that reduce weight by half and shorten production time by 80 percent, ultra-low-shock pneumatic separation systems, and advanced avionics enabling real-time navigation.
The target orbit for the maiden mission is 450 kilometers (280 miles) at a 60-degree inclination.
Payloads and commercial ambitions
The rocket will carry technology demonstration payloads from a mix of domestic and international customers, including Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed, and Skyroot’s own SCOPE platform. The payload stack also features Cosmos Diamonds’ “Cosmic Bloom” artwork and a micro-art payload.
Once operational, Vikram-1 will target the rapidly growing small satellite launch market, offering dedicated rides to orbit at a time when launch availability remains a major bottleneck for satellite operators worldwide. India’s space economy is projected to grow from roughly $8.4 billion today to $44 billion by 2033, and indigenous launch capability is seen as a critical enabler of that growth.
The flight-ready rocket was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2025 during the inauguration of Skyroot’s Infinity campus. With Mission Aagaman, India’s private space sector is poised to demonstrate that it can do more than build satellites — it can launch them too.
Aviation and maritime authorities have already issued restricted zone notifications along the rocket’s flight path and impact corridor. All eyes are on Sriharikota.