Bharat has scripted a historic chapter in its space journey with the successful launch of Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital rocket.
Launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, under Mission Aagaman, Vikram-1 successfully reached its planned orbit and deployed its payloads, making Bharat the third country in the world after the United States and New Zealand to achieve private orbital launch capability.
The success marks a major milestone for Bharat’s growing private space industry. Until now, orbital launches from the country were led exclusively by ISRO. Vikram-1’s success demonstrates that Indian private companies are now capable of designing, building and launching orbital-class rockets.
Founded in 2018 by former ISRO engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot Aerospace has reached this milestone in less than a decade. The company had earlier successfully tested the Vikram-S suborbital rocket in 2022, paving the way for today’s achievement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the mission as a historic moment for Bharat’s space programme, highlighting how space-sector reforms have encouraged innovation and created opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs.
Beyond a successful rocket launch, Mission Aagaman signals the arrival of a new era. A stronger private launch ecosystem will help Bharat expand commercial space services, attract global customers and strengthen its position in the rapidly growing space economy.
Vikram-1’s success is not just Skyroot’s achievement—it is a proud milestone for Bharat, proving that the country’s private sector is ready to stand alongside the world’s leading space innovators.