Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:59pm on 16 Jul 2026,Thursday Science
India’s first privately developed orbital rocket, Vikram-1, built by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, is scheduled for its maiden launch from Sriharikota on July 18 at 11:30 am. The seven-storey launch vehicle will carry four Indian and international technology demonstration payloads, marking India’s private sector’s entry into the global orbital launch market. The mission will evaluate propulsion, stage separation, guidance, navigation, control and overall flight performance. Designed to carry satellites weighing up to 350 kg into Low Earth Orbit, Vikram-1 features an all-carbon composite structure, 3D-printed engines and solid-fuel boosters. The mission follows Skyroot’s successful Vikram-S suborbital launch in November 2022 and aims to establish regular commercial launch capability.
