Vikram-1 Rocket Set To Launch Satellites Early Next Year

Space startup Skyroot Aerospace debuted its Vikram-1 rocket on Tuesday, which is planned to send satellites to low-Earth orbit early next year.

Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology, also opened ‘The MAX-Q Campus’, the start-up’s new headquarters at the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park in Mamidipally, South Hyderabad.

Singh inspected Skyroot’s 60,000-square-foot headquarters, which is advertised as the country’s largest private rocket development center under one roof.

Vikram-1 is a multi-stage launch vehicle capable of delivering roughly 300 kg of payloads into Low Earth Orbit. It is an all-carbon-fiber rocket with 3D-printed liquid engines that can launch numerous satellites into space. Skyroot’s second rocket, Vikram-I, is scheduled to launch in early 2024, following the successful launch of the Vikram-S rocket on November 18 last year.

Skyroot’s new headquarters has integrated design, production, and testing facilities for developing space launch vehicles, as well as design space for the company’s 300-person team.

Co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, Pawan Chandana, stated, “Every rocket, during its travel to space, has to push through a point of maximum stress called ‘Max-Q’. Our MAX-Q headquarters serves as a powerful symbol of our unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and accomplishing the extraordinary, all in pursuit of our mission to Open Space For All”.

Singh went on to say, “Skyroot is not only an example of India’s superlative talent and scientific acumen but it also has a message for all of us that a huge potential was lying dormant for several decades before Prime Minister Narendra Modi came and broke the taboos of the past and opened India’s Space Sector for Public Private Partnership (PPP)”.

The unveiling of the Vikram-1 space launch vehicle on the same day as the inauguration of Skyroot’s new headquarters is a moment of tremendous pride, said Bharath Daka, Skyroot’s Co-Founder and COO.

“Our design prowess and cutting-edge home-grown technology were critical in the development of Vikram-1. As we eagerly await the early 2024 launch, we will continue to share updates on the orbital mission with Vikram-1”, Daka added.

Also read: Early Trading Saw A Market Bounce On Solid Global Trends