Indian homegrown space startup Skyroot Aerospace is gearing up for a significant milestone: the maiden orbital flight of its Vikram-1 rocket. Scheduled for launch on July 18, 2026, at 11:30 am, this mission will take place from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
This launch, dubbed 'Mission Aagaman,' represents a historic moment as it will be India's first orbital launch attempt from Indian soil by a privately developed launch vehicle. It serves as a crucial test for Skyroot's advanced technology and its ambitions to establish a commercial launch business for small satellites.
Testing Vikram-1's Capabilities
Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, expressed anticipation for the flight. "We have done everything that could be done to test Vikram-1 on the ground. On 18 July, we are eager to see how Vikram-1 performs in a real flight environment for the first time," he stated. Chandana emphasized that this initial test flight would provide invaluable data, foundational to Skyroot's aspirations for consistent launch operations.
The Vikram-1 is a seven-storey-tall, multi-stage rocket engineered to deliver satellites weighing up to 350 kg into low Earth orbit. Its maiden voyage aims for an orbit of approximately 450 km at an inclination of 60 degrees. The rocket boasts an all-carbon composite structure and incorporates propulsion systems developed in-house by Skyroot, including 3D-printed engines and solid-fuel boosters.
Diverse Payloads Onboard
For this mission, Vikram-1 will carry a variety of technology demonstration payloads. These include contributions from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, and the German space technology company DCubed, alongside Skyroot’s own SCOPE payload. In a unique touch, the flight will also transport an artwork named Cosmic Bloom and a micro-art piece.
Naga Bharath Daka, co-founder and COO of Skyroot, underscored the broader significance of the mission. "What we are aiming to do on 18 July is bigger than a single launch. It represents the hopes and hard work of around 1,000 people, the contributions of over 400 suppliers, and nearly 3,000 days of resolve to build a global offering from India," he remarked.
This orbital attempt follows Skyroot's successful Vikram-S suborbital launch in November 2022, which marked the first time a privately built Indian rocket reached space.