PM Modi Hails India’s Youth Ahead of Skyroot’s Historic Vikram-1 Orbital Mission
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the talent, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of India’s youth ahead of Skyroot Aerospace’s maiden orbital launch attempt with Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket.
Describing the mission as a “historic new frontier” in India’s space journey, the Prime Minister said the achievement reflected the growing capabilities of the country’s private space industry and the opportunities created by reforms opening the sector to independent enterprises.
Mission Aagaman Marks Private Space Milestone
The Vikram-1 mission, named Aagaman, was prepared for launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The rocket was designed and developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, which was founded in 2018 by former Indian Space Research Organisation scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka.
Vikram-1 is intended to carry multiple domestic and international payloads into low-Earth orbit, demonstrating India’s emerging capacity to offer privately operated commercial satellite-launch services.
Modi Sends Handwritten Message Into Space
Among the symbolic items carried aboard the rocket was a handwritten postcard from the Prime Minister bearing the message “Vande Mataram.”
Modi extended his best wishes to the Skyroot team and encouraged Indians to witness the mission, describing it as an important moment for the country’s scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and young innovators.
India’s Commercial Space Ambitions Expand
The mission represents a significant step in India’s transition from a predominantly government-led space programme to a broader ecosystem involving private launch providers, satellite manufacturers and technology startups.
Skyroot previously launched Vikram-S, India’s first privately developed rocket, on a suborbital mission in November 2022. Vikram-1 represents the company’s first attempt to place payloads into orbit.
A successful orbital mission would strengthen India’s position in the global small-satellite launch market while creating new opportunities for investment, employment and advanced aerospace manufacturing.
