Written By: Sumaila Zaman | Updated: Jul 18, 2026, 3:58 PM
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the successful launch of the country's maiden private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, saying it proved the country's self-reliance push.
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Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh witnesses the launch of India's first privately developed orbital rocket, Skyroot Aerospace' Vikram-1 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, at Anusandhan Bhavan, in New Delhi on July 18, 2026.
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Vikram-1, India's first privately developed four-stage, seven-storey-tall orbital rocket, launched at 12.05 pm on Saturday, successfully placed multiple technology demonstration payloads and postcards, including from Prime Minister Modi, into a low Earth orbit.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the successful launch of the country's maiden private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, saying it proved the country's self-reliance push. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "Spoke to the team of Skyroot Aerospace and congratulated them on the successful launch of Vikram-1. This is a defining moment in India’s space journey. The growing participation of our private sector is opening new frontiers and accelerating innovation. This achievement will encourage countless youngsters to dream bigger and innovate fearlessly."
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Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 (Mission Aagaman), India's first private orbital rocket launch, lifts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, Saturday, July 18, 2026.
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People gather during the launch of Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 (Mission Aagaman), India's first private orbital rocket, as it lifts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, in Sriharikota.
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Speaking to the CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, Pawan Kumar Chandana and co-founder Naga Bharath Daka by phone, the PM congratulated them and their company for the successful feat achieved on Saturday.
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