Vikram-1 launched: PM Modi greets Skyroot Aerospace founder Pawan Chandana on India's maiden private rocket success

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up and congratulated Skyroot Aerospace founder Pawan Kumar Chandana and the team as India’s first privately developed orbital rocket, Vikram-1, successfully reached the orbit and entered the space.

The prime minister also invited the team for a meeting, affirming his support towards the development of India's space sector.

Also read: Vikram 1 Launched: Skyroot's rocket successfully enters space to script India's private space milestone


The rocket completed its final burn and injected its payloads into a nearly 450-km orbit, making India the third country in the world with private orbital launch capability.

The mission, named 'Mission Aagaman', was executed from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The 24-metre carbon-composite rocket completed all planned flight stages, including stage separations and the firing of its Orbital Adjustment Module (OAM).

The payloads on Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 include a handwritten postcard from PM Modi with the words, "Vande Mataram." It travelled to space alongside other handwritten messages from the Skyroot team, investors, policymakers, and well-wishers across the globe, making Mission Aagaman a celebration carried by many hands and shared by millions.

Earlier, Modi hailed the maiden orbital launch of Vikram-1, describing it as a "historic new frontier" in the country's space journey and a reflection of the talent and entrepreneurial spirit of India's youth.

In a post on X, PM Modi sid, "A historic new frontier for India's space journey! Skyroot Aerospace will undertake the maiden orbital launch of Vikram-1, India's first privately developed launch vehicle. This four-stage rocket is designed to provide rapid and on-demand launch services. This mission highlights the talent, determination and entrepreneurial spirit of our youth. It also shows how our space-sector reforms are unlocking new opportunities for innovation and enterprise. My best wishes to the entire Skyroot Aerospace team for a successful launch. May Vikram-1 soar high, create history and inspire a generation of innovators. I urge all Indians, especially my young friends, to follow this historic mission and join in wishing Team Skyroot success using #IndiaWithVikram1."