Source: The Hindu
Context
Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 rocket successfully lifted off on its inaugural flight on July 18, becoming the first commercial Indian rocket to reach orbit. With this, India became the third nation with a private orbital launch capability (after the USA and China).
About Mission Aagaman
What is it?
- Maiden orbital flight of Vikram-1, named ‘Mission Aagaman’ (Sanskrit: Arrival).
- Lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota at 12:05 p.m. IST on 18 July 2026 — delayed by 35 minutes due to a technical issue found at the T-minus 5-minute point.
- The upper stage reached its planned 450-kilometre low Earth orbit about 15 minutes after liftoff; target inclination was 60°.
- Mission declared a “grand success” — all milestones (propulsion, avionics, GNC) validated.
About Vikram-1
- A four-stage, expendable orbital small-lift launch vehicle developed by Skyroot Aerospace. Its first three stages are solid stages, while the fourth stage is a liquid stage (called the Orbit Adjustment Module — fired ~6 minutes for orbital insertion).
- Around 20 metres tall, 1.7 metres in diameter, with an all-carbon composite structure, 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid-fuel boosters. Built to carry small satellites up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit.
- Named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, father of India’s space programme.
- Engines named after Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Kalam-100, Kalam-250 stages).
About Skyroot Aerospace
- Hyderabad-based space startup (HQ: MAX-Q / Infinity Campus), founded by ex-ISRO engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana & Naga Bharath Daka.
- Earlier launched Vikram-S (suborbital, Mission Prarambh, 18 November 2022) — making Skyroot the first Indian private company to launch a rocket from ISRO’s launch facilities.
