Vikram-1 launch will be great boost for India’s private space sector: Skyroot Aerospace co-founder & CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana
Skyroot Aerospace is preparing for the first test flight of its Vikram-1 rocket, marking the first time a private company will launch from India's Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The mission aims to test the orbital-class vehicle's capabilities for carrying small satellites into Low Earth Orbit.
Why it matters
This represents a significant milestone for India's private space sector, signaling a shift toward commercialized space exploration and satellite deployment.
Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder & CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, spoke to The Hindu after the Hyderabad-based private space launch company announced the launch window for Vikram-1’s first test flight named Mission Aagaman from July 12 to August 4, 2026. The Vikram-1 launch vehicle is India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket designed to carry small satellites weighing up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit. The rocket is now fully stacked at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The article is an interview-based report focusing on technical and industry milestones without political bias.
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