In Photos: Skyroot launches Vikram-1, India’s first private orbit-class rocket

Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace on Saturday launched Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh

The mission, named 'Aagaman', marks the maiden flight of the rocket and is aimed at validating its performance and key technologies in flight

The lift-off was initially planned for 11:30 AM but was pushed back to 12.05 PM. Skyroot was ready for its first orbital launch of Vikram-1 on a cloudy Saturday morning

Skyroot has said the test will generate data that will be used to refine future missions and help establish a regular launch cadence

The development comes nearly three years after Skyroot successfully launched Vikram-S, the first privately built rocket to reach space from Indian soil, on November 18, 2022

Vikram-1 is a 24-metre-tall, three-stage orbital launch vehicle, capable of carrying payloads weighing up to 350 kg to a 450-km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at a 60-degree inclination

The maiden mission also carries an orbital adjustment module that can deploy satellites into their designated orbits after launch

One of Vikram-1’s distinguishing features is its all-carbon composite structure, which significantly reduces weight while improving structural strength. The vehicle is powered by three solid-fuel stages and an orbital adjustment module

Skyroot has also incorporated several technologies developed in-house, including metallic 3D-printed liquid rocket engines and a proprietary pneumatic stage-separation system

According to the company, additive manufacturing has reduced engine complexity by replacing hundreds of individual components with single-piece printed engines, shortening production timelines