Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his best wishes to Skyroot Aerospace ahead of the maiden orbital launch of Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed launch vehicle, calling it a “historic
new frontier” in the country’s space journey.
Follow LIVE Updates Here
In a post on X, PM Modi said the launch was scheduled for 11:30 am and described Vikram-1 as a significant milestone for India’s growing private space sector.
“A historic new frontier for India’s space journey,” he wrote on X.
PM Modi said the mission reflects the talent, determination and entrepreneurial spirit of India’s youth. He added that the launch also demonstrates how reforms in the country’s space sector are creating new opportunities for innovation and enterprise.
A historic new frontier for India’s space journey!
At 11:30 AM today, 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.… pic.twitter.com/1qFVTwNOuZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 18, 2026
The Prime Minister wished the Skyroot Aerospace team success for the mission and said he hoped Vikram-1 would “soar high, create history and inspire a generation of innovators.” He also urged Indians, particularly young people, to follow the launch and support the mission.
“I urge all Indians, especially my young friends, to follow this historic mission and join in wishing Team Skyroot success using #IndiaWithVikram1,” the Prime Minister added.
Vikram-1 Rocket Launch
Named after Vikram Sarabhai, the architect of India’s space programme, Vikram-1 is set to lift off from the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) launch facility at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
The seven-storey launch vehicle is designed to place payloads into a 450-km Low Earth Orbit. A successful mission would make India only the third country, after the United States and China, to have a private company capable of carrying out orbital launches.
According to Skyroot, it aims to offer what it calls a “cab service to space” –as simple as it should be –– where companies are capable of hiring a rocket “to ride to a unique location in orbit to place a satellite or visit a space station“.
