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India’s private space age takes off with Vikram-1 launch
India has reached a major space milestone after Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched its first privately built orbital rocket.
India’s private space age takes off with Vikram-1 launch
This photograph taken on July 7, 2026 shows a Vikram-1 orbital rocket model displayed at Skyroot Aerospace facility on the outskirts of Hyderabad. / AFP

India's first privately built orbital rocket has taken its maiden flight, its company has said.

The Vikram-1 rocket, built by Skyroot Aerospace and designed to carry small satellites into low-Earth orbit, took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Saturday amid loud cheers.

"Hello space, we have arrived!" Skyroot Aerospace said in a post on X.

"Vikram-1's Test Flight-1 has completed its mission. The first ever Indian private sector launch has been successfully completed."

Vikram-1 is about as tall as a seven-storey building and capable of carrying payloads weighing up to 350 kilograms.

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