New Delhi: India achieved a historic milestone in its space programme on Saturday as Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The successful mission marks a major breakthrough for India’s rapidly expanding private space sector and highlights the growing role of private companies in the nation’s space ambitions.

Describing the launch as a landmark achievement, Skyroot Aerospace Founder and CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana said it was the first time an Indian private company had designed, built, integrated, transported to the launch pad, and successfully launched an orbital-class rocket into space.

He also noted that Vikram-1 was developed by a young engineering team with an average age of just 28 years and is built entirely using advanced carbon composite technology, making it lighter and more efficient.

The successful launch of Vikram-1 is expected to strengthen India’s commercial space capabilities and reinforce the country’s position as an emerging global leader in the private space industry.