Skyroot Aerospace is preparing for the maiden orbital flight of its Vikram-1 launch vehicle, titled ‘Mission Aagaman’, scheduled for next month.The seven-storey-tall, multi-stage rocket, built with an all-carbon-composite material and powered by in-house propulsion systems, including 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid-fuel boosters, is currently positioned at the launch site in SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota.The launch is targeted during the July 12-August 4 window, subject to final assembly, testing, and standard weather and safety clearances.The objective of Mission Aagaman (meaning “arrival”) is to capture real-time in-flight performance data from every system on Vikram-1.“We want to understand how the vehicle performs from lift-off through every phase of ascent,” said Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Hyderabad-based unicorn.“This data cannot be fully replicated through ground testing. It will help us validate our designs and inform subsequent vehicle development as we build a reliable, high-cadence commercial launch programme,” he said.The mission will gather critical data on propulsion, stage separation, guidance, navigation, control, and overall vehicle performance, supporting Skyroot’s evolution into a commercially operational launch company.Designed to carry small satellites weighing up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Vikram-1’s maiden mission will target an orbit at an altitude of 450 km with a 60-degree orbital inclination.“The moment Vikram-1 lifts off, India’s private space industry will cross a threshold it has never crossed before,” he said.The launch would mark the startup’s second mission following the successful suborbital flight of Vikram-S, the first private rocket to reach space from Indian soil, on November 18, 2022.“This will be a partially commercial flight, with the company planning to commence full commercial flights after one or two successful demonstrations to orbit. Joining the test flight is a mix of domestic and international customers,” he said.“With Vikram-S in 2022, we validated the foundation of our technology stack. With Vikram-1, we take our biggest step yet toward a reliable, high-cadence launch programme built inIndia, for India and the world. This mission is designed as both a technology demonstration and a learning mission,” Naga Bharath Daka, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Skyroot Aerospace, said.Valued at over $1.1 billion, Skyroot is backed by marquee global investors, including GIC, Temasek, Sherpalo Ventures, and funds managed by BlackRock.Published on July 2, 2026