Social Media Erupts With Joy as Vikram-1 Makes Historic success
The successful launch of Vikram-1 positions India firmly among nations with domestic private orbital launch capability
Social media was flooded with reactions on Saturday after Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, with leaders and citizens alike hailing the feat as a historic moment for the country's private space sector.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy congratulated the Skyroot Aerospace team, calling the launch a new pinnacle for India's space industry and entrepreneurial spirit.
"The launch of Vikram-1 represents a new pinnacle both for India's space industry and the limits of entrepreneurial possibilities. My compliments to the entire @SkyrootA team as they launch India's first private orbital launch. Your achievement reaffirms that in a New India and under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, the sky is not the limit-deep space is- for our innovators, investors and entrepreneurs," Reddy posted on X.
He noted that Vikram-1 is significant for several reasons, being India's first all-carbon composite orbital rocket powered by a 3D-printed engine. "Beyond enabling commercially viable satellite launches by the private sector, the mission is also testing technologies that could contribute to tackling the challenge of space debris," he said.
Reddy also pointed out the symbolic timing of the launch. "That this launch comes exactly 46 years after the launch of India's pioneering SLV-3 makes it a fitting tribute to the generations of scientists and engineers who laid the foundation for today's achievements. India is rooting for Team Skyroot," he added.
"Liftoff of Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket at 12:05 PM IST from the First Launch Pad at SHAR! The era of commercial spaceflight has begun in India," ISRO Spaceflight posted.
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi also extended its congratulations to the Skyroot team over the successful mission. "A new achievement added to India's journey in the field of space! Congratulations to the @SkyrootA team on the successful launch of the Vikram-1 rocket, the first fully privately developed space launch vehicle in India. This achievement embodies India's leadership in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological excellence," the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi posted.
The launch also triggered an outpouring of excitement on social media, with several users celebrating the feat. One user wrote, "I CAN'T BELIEVE WE MADE IT. I CAN'T BELIEVE WE MADE IT. I CAN'T BELIEVE WE MADE IT FIRST TRY!!!"
Another user remarked, "Dawn of the New space Era. History created…"
The successful launch of Vikram-1 positions India firmly among nations with domestic private orbital launch capability, with the mission expected to pave the way for more frequent and commercially viable satellite launches by the country's growing private space sector.
