Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled Vikram-I, India's first privately developed commercial orbital rocket, built by Skyroot Aerospace. The unveiling took place at the inauguration of Skyroot's new Infinity Campus in Hyderabad. This event marks a significant milestone for the Indian space sector, signaling the country's ambition to become a global hub for satellite launches.
Vikram-I is a 20-meter-tall, four-stage rocket designed to carry payloads of around 300 to 350 kilograms into low Earth orbit (LEO). It features an all-carbon composite structure, which reduces weight while increasing strength. The rocket uses 3D-printed engines, advanced solid fuel stages, and a liquid fuel upper stage for precise satellite placement. The Vikram series is named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of the Indian Space Program.
One of Vikram-I's standout features is its quick-launch capability. The vehicle can be assembled and prepared for flight within 24 hours, giving India a competitive edge in the global small-satellite launch market. This speed and flexibility are expected to attract international customers looking for affordable and reliable access to space. Vikram-I is designed to place multiple satellites into orbit simultaneously, a first for India's space sector.
The Infinity Campus, where Vikram-I was unveiled, spans nearly 200,000 square feet and is equipped for designing, integrating, and testing multiple launch vehicles. The facility has the capacity to manufacture one orbital rocket every month, strengthening India's capability for rapid and affordable launch services.
The development of Vikram-I has been supported by government reforms that opened the space sector to private players. These reforms include the establishment of IN-SPACe and expanded industry access to ISRO's infrastructure. These steps have enabled the rise of more than 300 space-tech startups in India. Skyroot Aerospace, founded by former ISRO scientists Pawan Chandana and Bharath Dhaka, made history in 2022 with Vikram-S, India's first private sub-orbital rocket launch.
Vikram-I has four stages. The first stage, Kalam-1200, has been fully validated. The second stage is the Kalam-250. The third stage, Kalam-100, delivers 100 kN of thrust in vacuum for 108 seconds. The fourth stage uses a cluster of four Raman engines, each producing 3.4 kN of thrust, to do final adjustments in the orbit.
Skyroot is targeting early 2026 for Vikram-I's maiden flight. Vikram-I bolsters India's private space sector and complements ISRO amid global competition. Skyroot aims to tap into the rapidly growing small-satellite market, part of an Indian space economy projected to reach $77 billion by 2030.
