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India's Private Space Sector Soars as Vikram-1 Rocket Reaches Orbit

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • India's private space sector achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of the Vikram-1 rocket by Skyroot Aerospace.
  • This marks India's first privately built rocket to independently reach orbit, positioning the country among a select group of nations with this capability.
  • The launch underscores the growth of India's private space industry, fueled by government reforms aimed at fostering innovation.

Skyroot Aerospace's successful launch of its Vikram-1 rocket from Sriharikota marks a pivotal moment for India's burgeoning private space sector. The seven-story, all-carbon-composite vehicle became the first privately developed Indian rocket to independently reach orbit, a feat achieved by only a handful of private companies globally.

It is 100% designed in India, 100% manufactured in India. We have built it from scratch.

— Pawan Kumar ChandanaSkyroot co-founder and CEO highlighted the indigenous development of the Vikram-1 rocket.

The Hyderabad-based company announced that the Vikram-1, after its final engine burn, successfully injected its payloads into a nearly 450-kilometer orbit. This achievement positions India as the third country in the world with private orbital launch capabilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the mission as a "historic new frontier" for India's space journey, attributing the success to the government's 2020 space-sector reforms that encourage innovation and enterprise.

That means hundreds of systems have to be developed and tested. Everything has to work together to a level where right now we're able to stack it up on the launch pad, and ready to go off and shoot it.

— Pawan Kumar ChandanaThe CEO described the complex process of developing and integrating the various systems for the rocket launch.

The Vikram-1 is a 24-meter, four-stage rocket designed to carry payloads up to 350 kg into low Earth orbit. Its maiden mission targeted an altitude of 450 km with a 60-degree inclination. Skyroot co-founder and CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana emphasized that the rocket was "100% designed in India, 100% manufactured in India," built entirely from scratch. The vehicle utilizes an all-carbon composite airframe, described as five times lighter than steel, and features 3D-printed metal liquid engines, a manufacturing process that significantly reduces component numbers.

a historic new frontier for India's space journey

— Narendra ModiPrime Minister Modi described the significance of the Vikram-1 launch.

Onboard the Vikram-1 were technology demonstrator payloads from various companies, including Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, and DCubed, as well as Skyroot's own SCOPE unit. Notably, the rocket also carried a lab-grown "Diamond Lotus" and artwork featuring micro-sculptures of Indian scientific luminaries like C.V. Raman, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and Vikram Sarabhai, after whom the rocket is named. A postcard from Prime Minister Modi bearing "Vande Mataram" was also part of the payload, alongside messages from engineers.

unlocking new opportunities for innovation and enterprise

— Narendra ModiPrime Minister Modi commented on how government reforms are benefiting the private space sector.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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