Launch · Government, Defense & Space

Skyroot Aerospace launches India's first private orbital rocket

By Startup Enthusiast · 18 July 2026

What they do

Skyroot Aerospace builds small satellite launch vehicles with carbon composite structures and 3D-printed engines

It successfully launched Vikram-1, its first orbital rocket, from Sriharikota on 18 July 2026, carrying payloads from multiple customers

The launch makes Skyroot India's first spacetech unicorn and positions it alongside global players like SpaceX and Rocket Lab

Skyroot Aerospace launched its Vikram-1 rocket on 18 July 2026 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The mission, named Mission Aagaman, lifted off at 12:05 PM after a planned pause from the original 11:30 AM time.
It is the first orbital-class rocket launched by an Indian private company.
The rocket injected payloads into a 450-km Low Earth Orbit and completed all major flight events including stage separations and orbital insertion.
The launch validated propulsion, telemetry, avionics, guidance, navigation, control and stage separation systems.
Payloads came from Cosmoserve, Grahaa Space, DCubed, and Skyroot's own SCOPE.
Cosmoserve demonstrated a soft robotic capture system for space debris removal.
The rocket also carried a commemorative card with PM Modi's message 'Vande Mataram' and a miniature gold rocket with micro sculptures of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, Sir C.V. Raman, and Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

The launch follows India's space sector reforms that allow private launch activities supervised by IN-SPACe.
Launch capacity has not kept pace with growing satellite demand, making dedicated small satellite launches critical.
It is a defining moment for India's private space ambitions and a step towards making India a global commercial launch destination.

Skyroot Aerospace designs and builds small satellite launch vehicles for dedicated and rideshare missions.
The Vikram-1 is a four-stage rocket capable of carrying up to 480 kg to Low Earth Orbit and 290 kg to Sun-Synchronous Orbit.
Its structure is almost entirely carbon composite, a first for an Indian orbital vehicle, and the first stage is the longest monolithic carbon composite stage built in India.
The rocket uses solid propulsion in the first three stages and a fully 3D-printed liquid engine in the Orbital Adjustment Module, also a first for an Indian orbital vehicle.
The rocket is seven storeys tall and designed for dedicated launches to specific orbits.
The company's website lists Vikram-I with up to 350 kg LEO and 260 kg SSO, launching in 2026, and Vikram-II with up to 900 kg LEO and 600 kg SSO, launching in 2027.
Skyroot's tagline is 'On-Demand Space Launch Vehicles' and 'GET TO ORBIT'.
The company operates a 2 lakh sq ft Infinity Campus in Hyderabad with capacity to produce one orbital rocket per month.

Skyroot plans up to two more Vikram-1 launches this year.
It will launch Vikram-1U with strap-on boosters in Q1 2027.
The Vikram-2, a one-tonne class rocket with a cryogenic upper stage, is planned for maiden flight in 2027.
The company is analysing telemetry from Mission Aagaman before making changes to the next vehicle.
It will focus on proving consistent performance across multiple missions and expand production with fresh capital.

Product: Vikram-series rockets for commercial satellite launch services and space missions
Customers: Satellite operators, space agencies, and commercial payload providers worldwide
How it makes money: Commercial launch services provider with flight-tested propulsion and avionics systems
What sets it apart: First Indian private company to achieve orbital launch with indigenous technology