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India’s first private orbital rocket taking shape, plans to be space ‘cabs’
Skyroot Aerospace is on the verge of launching Vikram-1, marking a pivotal moment as India's inaugural private orbital rocket. This innovative startup based in Hyderabad is dedicated to democratizing spaceflight, transforming it from a rare event into a regular occurrence. Vikram-1 is tailored for targeted missions and specialized launches, addressing distinct orbital needs.
Hyderabad-based startup is gearing up for the launch of Vikram-1, India’s first private orbital rocket, as it looks to carve out a niche in the country’s growing space sector. The company, co-founded by former ISRO engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, envisions making space travel accessible, affordable, and routine, reported TOI.
Speaking about Skyroot’s ambitions to TOI, Chandana likens their approach to something familiar on Earth: “Think of SpaceX as a transcontinental train or an A380. We’re aiming to become the cab or business jet that drops you at a specific slot in a unique orbit in space with our smaller rockets,” he explains.
That analogy underscores Skyroot’s focus on a market that most space giants ignore — dedicated launches and bespoke missions. “The market for train is different and that for cab is different. SpaceX and all other companies go to some specific orbits, collate all the customers and launch them. It’s a very large market. But we want to address a different niche in the market where people have unique requirements,” Chandana adds.
Vikram-1: India’s first private orbital rocket
The vehicle is being assembled at Skyroot’s Max-Q headquarters near Shamshabad airport, in a seven-storeyed (75-feet) assembly hall. Named after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India’s space programme, Vikram-1 is designed to carry up to 300kg, though its first mission may carry roughly half that payload.Chandana confirmed that the rocket’s three solid-propellant stages — Kalam-1200, Kalam-250, and Kalam-125 — are already at the launch site in Sriharikota. “The topmost stage, which is the orbit adjustment module (OAM) equipped with the 3D-printed liquid engine Raman-2, and the other interstages housing all the avionics are undergoing final integration checks. Hopefully, within weeks, we can move them to the launch site,” he said.
The exact launch date will be announced once a formal slot is assigned.
Affordability and accessibility at the core
Unlike national space programmes, private startups like Skyroot operate under tighter budgets, smaller teams, and narrower timelines. The company has raised close to $100 million in funding, and some reports suggest it could become India’s first spacetech unicorn in its next funding round.“To start with we chose to build a smaller rocket that has a very niche market rather than a bigger rocket that caters to the mass market but requires large capital. We will eventually build big rockets but we are taking our initial steps with a niche, growing market as there are very few companies in the world who are doing this,” Chandana explains.
The company’s motto, “Opening Space for All,” reflects its broader ambition — making human space travel as commonplace as air travel.
Milestones and future plans
Skyroot’s previous sub-orbital launch, Vikram-S in November 2022, succeeded on the first attempt — a feat even SpaceX did not achieve on its debut. The company has also built the Infinity Campus, which aims to allow one Vikram-class rocket to be prepared for launch every month.The upcoming will take place from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Future launches are planned from Kulasekarapattinam, where ISRO’s private launch pad is expected to be operational by March-end. Ultimately, Skyroot aims to operate its own launch facility.
On the commercial side, Skyroot has signed MoUs with international partners such as French newspace operator Promethee and German satellite aggregator Exolaunch, along with domestic startups like Dhruva Space and Bellatrix Aerospace.
Looking ahead
While the company initially targeted a 2024 launch, testing and integration timelines have shifted the schedule to Q1 2026. Chandana remains confident: “In future, we will build reusable rockets that will be much bigger. That is our aspiration before the end of the decade. It’s already on the drawing board.”With Vikram-1, Skyroot Aerospace is not just aiming for orbit — it’s aiming to make space travel accessible, flexible, and a routine part of human enterprise.
With inputs from TOI
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Source: EconomicTimes
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