India’s First Privately-Built Rocket To Launch Into Space This Summer
Credit: skyroot.in
Indian company Skyroot Aerospace raised $60 million in a new investment round, becoming India’s first space “unicorn”—a startup valued at over $1 billion. Following the deal, the company’s value reached $1.1 billion.
Vikram-1 is a three-stage solid-fuel rocket designed to launch nearly half a ton of payload into low Earth orbit. Its body is made primarily of carbon fiber, and the first stage is powered by a single Kalam-1000 engine producing 1,000 kN of thrust—approximately 100 ton-force.
According to company co-founder and CEO Pawan Kumar, a single engine greatly simplifies both production and testing compared to a traditional solution of multiple liquid engines. “That’s why we’re moving so fast,” he noted.
Skyroot is ahead of other players in the Indian rocket market, particularly Agnikul Cosmos. The company has already entered the final testing phase. “Statistically, a private company’s first launch almost always ends in failure. But I think we did everything we could to ensure a successful first launch,” Kumar added.
If the schedule remains unchanged, Vikram-1 will be the first privately owned orbital rocket built and launched in India. This is a significant milestone for the country, which has been actively liberalizing its space sector in recent years and attempting to establish its own commercial launch and satellite services industry.
