Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 Launch: A Historic Achievement for India
Celebrating a Milestone in Indian Aerospace
Renowned filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli, along with actors Mahesh Babu and Chiranjeevi Konidela, expressed their congratulations on the groundbreaking launch of Vikram-1 by Skyroot Aerospace, marking India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, which took place on Saturday.
Rajamouli took to his X account to share his excitement, labeling the event a significant achievement for the Hyderabad-based team responsible for creating a private rocket capable of reaching orbit.
He stated, “From India to orbit! Skyroot Aerospace has made history with VIKRAM-1, the first private rocket from India to achieve orbit, crafted by a young team from Hyderabad with an average age of just 28. This showcases the potential of young India. I am immensely proud. Congratulations to the entire team. Jai Hind,”
Mahesh Babu also voiced his pride in the successful launch of Vikram-I, calling it a reflection of the team's brilliance and determination. He remarked, “India is reaching for the stars and delivering. I am so proud of our young team at Skyroot Aerospace from Hyderabad. Vikram-1 reaching orbit on its inaugural mission is a testament to the brilliance and perseverance of our private space sector! Congratulations to @SkyrootA and everyone who contributed to this achievement,”
Chiranjeevi Konidela referred to the successful launch of Vikram-1 as a “historic milestone” for Indian aerospace. He expressed immense pride for the Hyderabad team, noting that the rocket was entirely designed and developed in the city. He stated, “Today marks a historic milestone in India’s space journey. Heartfelt congratulations to Skyroot Aerospace, ISRO, and IN-SPACe on the successful launch of #Vikram1, India’s first privately developed orbital rocket. It fills me with immense pride that this remarkable achievement was completely designed and developed in Hyderabad by the brilliant young team at @SkyrootA. May this historic success inspire countless young minds and propel Bharat to even greater heights on its journey towards a Viksit Bharat. Congratulations once again, Team Vikram-1!”
Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 has successfully reached orbit, marking the first flight of India’s privately developed orbital-class rocket. The rocket completed its final burn and deployed its payloads into a nearly 450-km orbit, positioning India as the third nation globally with private orbital launch capabilities.
The mission, dubbed “Mission Aagaman,” was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The 24-meter carbon-composite rocket successfully executed all planned flight stages, including stage separations and the firing of its Orbital Adjustment Module (OAM).
The OAM utilized its 3D-printed liquid engine for the final orbital push. This module is engineered to start, stop, and restart in space. During the flight, the solid first stage propelled the rocket through the densest part of the atmosphere before separating cleanly. The payload fairing was then released, exposing the satellites to space for the first time.
The second stage, Kalam-250, completed its burn and separated, followed by the ignition of Kalam-100, the smallest and highest-flying solid stage of Vikram-1. The solid-propulsion phase concluded with the separation of Stage 3, allowing the OAM to finalize the mission.
The Vikram-1 rocket, which is powered by three solid-fuel stages and a liquid orbital adjustment module, is designed to deploy payloads weighing up to 350 kg into a 450-km Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The inaugural flight carried several payloads, including the “Diamond Lotus,” a lab-grown diamond from Bengaluru-based Cosmos Diamonds.