Guwahati: Assam has earned a place in India’s space history with Guwahati-born aerospace engineer Ved Prakash playing a key role in the successful development and launch of Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket built by Hyderabad-based space-tech startup Skyroot Aerospace.

Ved Prakash, who serves as a Mission and Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer at Skyroot Aerospace, is the only Assamese member of the team behind the landmark mission. He has been associated with the ambitious project for the past four years and was among the principal contributors to the rocket’s advanced Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) system, which is critical for ensuring the vehicle’s stability, navigation and mission success.

Vikram-1 was successfully launched on July 18, marking a major milestone for India’s private space sector. The mission established India among the select group of nations capable of launching a privately developed orbital-class rocket, giving a significant boost to the country’s rapidly expanding commercial space industry.

Ved Prakash’s contribution has been widely appreciated in Assam, with many hailing his achievement as a source of pride for the state and an inspiration for aspiring engineers and young innovators. His role in the historic mission highlights the growing contribution of talented professionals from the Northeast to India’s technological and scientific advancement.