"This initiative is creating new history...": Advisor to Gujarat Council on Science and Technology hails Vikram-1 launch
Gandhinagar, July 18
Advisor to Gujarat Council on Science and Technology Narottam Sahoo on Friday praised the successful launch of India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket Vikram-1, saying that the initiative will create a new history.
Speaking with ANI, he highlighted that the 24-meter rocket they built, designed for Low Earth Orbit, utilised materials created entirely through 3D printing and carbon fibre technology.
"The successful flight of 'Vikram-1' today; it introduced so many novel approaches and established a solid foundation in the space sector. This marked the first major success for Skyroot Aerospace, a space startup. The 24-meter rocket they built, designed for Low Earth Orbit, utilised materials created entirely through 3D printing and carbon fibre technology. Prime Minister Modi established IN-SPACe in Ahmedabad five years ago to integrate private players into ISRO's mainstream activities; this initiative is creating a new history," he said.
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 successfully reached orbit, marking the maiden flight of India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket.
The rocket completed its final burn and injected its payloads into a nearly 450-km orbit, making India the third country in the world with private orbital launch capability.
The mission, named 'Mission Aagaman', was executed from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The 24-metre carbon-composite rocket completed all planned flight stages, including stage separations and the firing of its Orbital Adjustment Module (OAM).
The Vikram-1 rocket, powered by three solid-fuel stages and a liquid orbital adjustment module, is designed to deploy payloads up to 350 kg into a 450-km Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The maiden flight carried multiple payloads, including the "Diamond Lotus", a lab-grown diamond from Bengaluru-based Cosmos Diamonds.
Among the payloads on Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 is something truly special--a handwritten postcard from PM Modi with the words, "Vande Mataram."
It travels to space alongside handwritten messages from the Skyroot team, investors, policymakers, and well-wishers across the globe, making Mission Aagaman a celebration carried by many hands and shared by millions.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Amazing achievement for Skyroot Aerospace! ✨ But let's not forget ISRO's foundational work that made this possible. The public-private synergy is what makes India's space program truly special. Also, a lab-grown diamond in space? That's one way to add some bling to the mission! 💎
Being a namesake of the rocket, I feel extra proud today! 😄 Seriously though, this is a huge leap for Indian entrepreneurship in space tech. The PM's 'Vande Mataram' postcard going to orbit is a beautiful touch. Mission Aagaman indeed - a new chapter begins!
Good progress, but I hope we don't get carried away with hype. Skyroot still has a long way to go before matching global standards. Also, what's the environmental impact of all these launches? We need sustainable space exploration. Just my two paise.
As a science student, this inspires me so much! 🛰️ India is now one of only three countries with private orbital launch capability. This will create thousands of jobs in aerospace. My dream is to work at a company like Skyroot one day. Ab bas padhai karni hai!
What I find most impressive is the speed - from startup to orbital launch in just a few years. And the carbon composite tech is world-class. But let's also celebrate the lab-grown diamond payload - shows India's prowess in materials science too. Well done, Skyroot! 👏
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