Sriharikota Set for Historic Vikram-1 Launch

Hyderabad-based private space start-up Skyroot Aerospace is set to script a new chapter in India's space programme on Saturday with the launch of its maiden orbital rocket, Vikram-1, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.

The mission marks a major milestone for India's private space sector, with Vikram-1 becoming one of the country's first privately developed orbital launch vehicles to attempt placing multiple satellites into orbit.

The countdown is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. and continue for about five-and-a-half hours, covering a series of technical checks, fuelling operations and launch readiness procedures ahead of the planned lift-off at 11.30 a.m.

The mission aims to validate the performance of the Vikram-1 launch vehicle and demonstrate several indigenous technologies developed by Skyroot Aerospace for reliable and cost-effective satellite launches.

A successful mission would provide a major boost to India's commercial space ambitions by strengthening the country's private launch capabilities and expanding opportunities in the global satellite launch market.

Ahead of the launch, Skyroot Aerospace CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana said the rocket is carrying a unique collection of signed cards from the company's employees, investors, policymakers and well-wishers as part of the Aagaman mission.

Among them is a special card signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bearing the handwritten message, "Vande Mataram."

"We also have a very special card from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reading it gives me goosebumps. He has written 'Vande Mataram'. All these cards are going to space on the Aagaman mission, and I am very excited," Chandana said.