India’s first private orbital rocket to launch on 18 July, Vikram-1 to carry ‘Diamond Lotus’, postcard from PM Modi
India’s first private orbital rocket is set to launch at 11:30 AM on Saturday (18 July) from the historic First Launch Pad at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota
India’s first private orbital rocket is set to launch at 11:30 AM on Saturday (18 July) from the historic First Launch Pad at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. It will be the first test flight of the Vikram-1 rocket, built by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace. It will be launched as part of Mission Aagaman on Saturday. What's flying aboard Vikram-1? Among the payloads on Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 is "something truly special" — a handwritten postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the words “Vande Mataram,” Skyroot Aerospace said. Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 When will Vikram-1, India’s first private orbital rocket, be launched? ⌵ Vikram-1 is set to launch on July 18 at 11:30 am from the First Launch Pad at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. 2 What are the key features of the Vikram-1 rocket? ⌵ Vikram-1 is a three-stage rocket built entirely from carbon-composite material, equipped with a liquid orbital adjustment module and capable of deploying multiple satellites into orbit. 3 What payloads will Vikram-1 carry during its test flight? ⌵ The test flight will carry several payloads including a handwritten postcard from PM Modi, the SOLARAS S3 satellite, a robotic arm, and art pieces like the 'Diamond Lotus'. 4 How does Vikram-1 aim to benefit India's space industry? ⌵ The successful launch of Vikram-1 will enhance India's commercial launch capabilities and position it within the global market, particularly in the small satellite launch sector. 5 Why is Vikram-1's launch considered a significant milestone for India's space history?
⌵ It marks the first instance where a privately-developed rocket will attempt to place satellites into Earth's orbit independently, showcasing India's advancements in the private space sector. “It travels to space alongside handwritten messages from our team, investors, policymakers, and well-wishers across the globe, making Mission Aagaman a celebration carried by many hands and shared by millions,” the company's co-founder said. Other payloads on Vikram-1's Test Flight-1, Mission Aagaman, include multiple technology demonstrations 1. Grahaa Space's SOLARAS S3 satellite 2. Cosmoserve Space's in-orbit robotic arm Embrace 3. An in-orbit demonstration from Germany's DCUBED (Deployables Cubed GmbH) 4. Skyroot's own SCOPE satellite 5. Artwork Cosmic Bloom: lab-grown "Diamond Lotus" developed by Bengaluru-based Cosmos Diamonds. 6. A Microart by Ajay Kumar Mattewada — an 18K gold rocket holding micro-sculptures of Sir CV Raman, Dr Vikram Sarabhai (Vikram-1's namesake), and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, each smaller than a grain of rice. About Vikram-1 Vikram-1 is powered by three solid-fuel stages and a liquid orbital adjustment module. Skyroot Aerospace Founder and CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana said Vikram-1 builds on the company's first private rocket demonstration conducted in 2022. "Skyroot launched India's first private rocket in 2022 [Vikram-S], and that was a test rocket to prove the technology. This is the first time in India that a private company has developed an orbital rocket, taken it to the launch site, and it is going to take off soon," he said. Vikram-1 is the country's first orbital rocket built entirely using carbon-composite material.
The BriefWire