Skyroot Aerospace Flags Off Vikram-1 — India's First Private Orbital Launch Vehicle
Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based space startup, flagged off its Vikram-1 rocket — India's first privately developed orbital launch vehicle — ahead of its maiden orbital launch attempt. This marks a landmark in India's space sector liberalization. Vikram-1 is designed to carry payloads up to 480 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Skyroot had earlier successfully tested India's first private sub-orbital rocket Prarambh (Vikram-S) in November 2022. The company is backed by IN-SPACe and receives technical support from ISRO.
Key Facts & Details
7 points- 1Skyroot Aerospace flags off Vikram-1 — India's first private orbital launch vehicle
- 2Vikram-1 can carry 480 kg payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- 3Skyroot previously launched India's first private sub-orbital rocket Prarambh in 2022
Deep Dive
- +Skyroot was founded in 2018 by ex-ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Bharath Daka
- +Vikram-1 uses both liquid and solid propulsion stages
- +The launch will take place from SDSC SHAR (Sriharikota), ISRO's main launch complex
- +India has 400+ private space startups as of early 2026
Exam Focus
Likely MCQ: Who founded Skyroot Aerospace? → Answer: Pawan Kumar Chandana and Bharath Daka (ex-ISRO scientists)
Related Topics
Exam Relevance & Angle
Science & Technology: India's private space sector, IN-SPACe, and key space companies.
Target Exams
Background & Context
Skyroot Aerospace was founded in 2018 by Pawan Kumar Chandana (CEO) and Bharath Daka (COO), both former ISRO scientists. Headquartered in Hyderabad, it became the first Indian private company to sign a launch services agreement with ISRO in 2019.
In November 2022, Skyroot made history by launching Prarambh (Vikram-S) — India's first privately developed rocket to reach space — from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. The sub-orbital flight carried 3 customer payloads.
Vikram-1 is Skyroot's orbital launch vehicle, designed to carry up to 480 kg to LEO and 290 kg to SSO (Sun-Synchronous Orbit). It uses solid fuel for upper stages and liquid/cryogenic propulsion for the main stage.
IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre) is the nodal body established in 2020 to enable, promote, and authorize private participation in India's space sector. It is headquartered in Bopal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Related GK Concepts
Must KnowTest Yourself
1 / 3Skyroot Aerospace is headquartered in which Indian city?
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