India's first private orbital rocket Skyroot's Vikram-1 set for launch between July 12 and August 4

Skyroot Aerospace on Thursday announced the opening of the launch window for the maiden test flight of its Vikram-1 launch vehicle, India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, marking a major milestone for the country's growing private space sector. 

The company said Mission Aagaman is scheduled for launch no earlier than July 12, subject to the completion of assembly and testing activities at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, along with weather, safety and range-clearance requirements. The launch window will remain open until August 4. 

'Mission Aagaman', meaning 'the arrival', will be Skyroot's second mission after the successful launch of Vikram-S, the first private rocket to reach space from Indian soil, on November 18, 2022. 

Focus on flight data and validation 

Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, said the primary objective of the mission is to gather real-time in-flight performance data from all systems aboard the Vikram-1 rocket. "The single most important objective of Mission Aagaman is to capture the real in-flight performance data from every system on Vikram-1. We want to understand how the vehicle performs from lift-off through every phase of ascent. This data cannot be fully replicated through ground testing and will help validate our designs for future vehicle development," Chandana said. 

He added that the mission would mark a historic moment for India's private space industry once the rocket lifts off. 

Partial commercial mission 

The maiden orbital launch will be a partially commercial flight, carrying payloads from a mix of domestic and international customers. Skyroot plans to commence full-scale commercial launch operations after one or two successful orbital demonstration missions. 

Naga Bharath Daka, Co-founder and COO of Skyroot Aerospace, described the mission as a major step in the company's journey from building a launch vehicle in India to attempting an orbital flight. "This mission is designed as both a technology demonstration and a learning mission. It has been made possible through the support of the Government of India, IN-SPACe, ISRO, investors, customers and our team of over 1,000 professionals," he said. 

Rocket fully integrated at launch pad 

Skyroot said all stages of Vikram-1 have been successfully integrated and stacked at the launch pad. The mission will collect critical performance data across propulsion systems, stage separation, guidance, navigation, control systems and overall vehicle operations, helping the company transition into a fully commercial launch service provider. 

Vikram-1 is a seven-storey-tall, multi-stage orbital launch vehicle featuring an all-carbon composite structure and indigenously developed propulsion systems, including 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid rocket boosters. 

The rocket is designed to carry small satellites weighing up to 350 kilograms into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). During its maiden mission, Vikram-1 will attempt to place payloads into a 450-kilometre orbit with a 60-degree inclination. 

The flight-ready vehicle was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2025 during the inauguration of Skyroot's Infinity campus. 

Skyroot said reliable and frequent access to orbit remains a critical requirement for satellite operators, many of whom face long waiting periods for launch opportunities. Leveraging reforms introduced by Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center and technical support from Indian Space Research Organisation, the company aims to offer dedicated launch services through its "Cab to Space" model. 

Satellites support a wide range of services including agriculture, fisheries, disaster management, communications, navigation, connectivity, and national security, making affordable access to space increasingly important for India's development. 

The company also highlighted the growing commercial potential of the sector, noting that India's space economy is projected to expand from about $8.4 billion currently to nearly $44 billion by 2033. Indigenous launch capabilities, it said, will play a key role in unlocking opportunities for the country's rapidly expanding private space ecosystem. 

The launch of Vikram-1 is expected to be a defining moment for India's private space industry, potentially making Skyroot one of the first Indian private companies to place a rocket into orbit.