46 yrs after SLV-3, Skyroot’s Vikram-1 set to mark new chapter in private space journey
Skyroot Aerospace is preparing for the maiden orbital test flight of its Vikram-1 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This mission marks a significant milestone for India's private space sector, occurring 46 years after the launch of ISRO's SLV-3.
Why it matters
Represents a major shift in the Indian space industry as private companies begin conducting orbital launches from government facilities.
Hyderabad: Exactly 46 years after India entered the exclusive league of space-faring nations with the successful launch of SLV-3, India’s first experimental satellite launch vehicle, by ISRO, a new chapter in the country’s launch history is all set to unfold from the same spaceport on Saturday.Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket, is set to lift off at 11.30 am from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre-Sriharikota Range.The mission, named Aagaman, will be watched closely not only because it is Skyroot’s maiden orbital test flight, but also because of the date it shares with one of India’s most defining space milestones.On July 18, 1980, ISRO successfully launched the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3, or SLV-3E2, from Sriharikota, placing the Rohini satellite RS-1 into orbit.The 22-metre, 17-tonne, all-solid, four-stage experimental vehicle could place 40 kg class payloads in low Earth orbit.
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