Vikram-suborbital (VKS): ISRO launched India’s first privately built rocket

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched India’s first privately built rocket – Vikram-suborbital (VKS). The rocket was developed by Skyroot Aerospace, launch vehicle has been named so as a tribute to the father of the Indian Space programme, the late Vikram Sarabhai.

The launch took place from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh at around 11.30 am. The maiden mission of Skyroot Aerospace was named ‘Prarambh’ (the beginning) and carried payloads of two Indian and one foreign customer.

Skyroot, a two-time national award winner, is the first start-up to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ISRO to launch a rocket into space. The Vikram-S rocket is a single-stage suborbital small satellite launch vehicle that stands six meters tall and has a mass of 545 kg.

These rockets are among the few launch vehicles in the world which have their core structure built using carbon composites. The thrusters used for spin stability in the vehicle have been 3D printed.

This mission considered to be a significant milestone for Skyroot Aerospace as it would help test and validate the majority of the technologies in the Vikram series of orbital class space launch vehicles.

Skyroot Aerospace co-founder, Pawan K Chandana said, “after months of sleepless nights and meticulous preparations from our team — super thrilled to announce our first launch mission #Prarambh from the beautiful island of Sriharikota,” located about 115 km from here.

A moment of pride indeed!

–An article by Stuti Shukla