India is on the cusp of a new era in space exploration as Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket, prepares for lift-off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota on July 18. This historic launch marks 46 years since India successfully launched its first experimental Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3) on July 18, 1980, becoming the sixth member of an exclusive club of spacefaring nations.
Vikram-1, developed by private space launch company Skyroot Aerospace, is a seven-storey-tall, multi-stage orbital launch vehicle built with an all-carbon composite structure and powered by in-house developed propulsion systems, including 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid-fuel rocket boosters. The rocket is designed to carry small satellites weighing up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and will target a 450-km orbit at a 60° inclination during its first test flight.
The rocket will carry six technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed, and Skyroot’s own SCOPE, along with Cosmos Diamonds’ artwork
