Sriharikota Set for Historic Vikram-1 Launch

Hyderabad-based private space start-up Skyroot Aerospace is all set to open a new chapter in India’s space program on Saturday with the launch of its first orbital rocket, Vikram-1, from the Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) in Sriharikota.

The mission marks a significant milestone for India’s private space sector; Vikram-1 becomes one of the country’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicles aimed at putting multiple satellites into orbit.

The countdown is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. and last approximately five and a half hours; This countdown will include a series of technical checks, fueling operations and launch preparation procedures ahead of the scheduled liftoff at 11.30am.

The mission aims to validate the performance of the Vikram-1 launch vehicle and demonstrate various indigenous technologies developed by Skyroot Aerospace for reliable and cost-effective satellite launches.

A successful mission would provide a major boost to India’s commercial space ambitions by strengthening the country’s private launch capabilities and expanding opportunities in the global satellite launch market.

Ahead of the launch, Skyroot Aerospace CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana said the rocket carries a unique collection of signed cards from the company’s employees, investors, policy makers and well-wishers as part of the Aagaman mission.

These include a special card signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bearing the handwritten message “Vande Mataram”.

Chandana said, “We also have a very special card from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I get goosebumps when I read this. He wrote ‘Vande Mataram’. All these cards will go to space on the Aagaman mission and I am very excited.”