India’s private space industry is set for a landmark moment as Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace prepares to launch Vikram-1, its first orbital launch vehicle, today. The mission is expected to test the
company’s next-generation rocket and could mark a significant step in India’s growing presence in the global private space launch market.
According to Skyroot Aerospace, Vikram-1 will become India’s first private orbital launch from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota.
When And Where To Watch The Launch
Mission Aagaman is scheduled to lift off on July 18 at 11:30 am from the First Launch Pad at SDSC-SHAR in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
We’ll be going live for India’s first private orbital launch. 🚀
Watch Vikram-1’s Test Flight-1 — Mission Aagaman — live on YouTube today.
Set your reminder and fly with us. ▶️🔗https://t.co/xNes7DbvcM #Vikram1 #MissionAagaman #SkyrootAerospace #OpeningSpaceForAll pic.twitter.com/dp9ofq5uTc
— Skyroot Aerospace (@SkyrootA) July 18, 2026
Those who want to watch the launch live can tune in to Skyroot Aerospace’s official YouTube channel, where the company will stream the mission.
Why Vikram-1 Matters
Named after Vikram Sarabhai, regarded as the father of India’s space programme, Vikram-1 marks the next phase of Skyroot Aerospace’s launch ambitions.
The mission follows the successful Vikram-S suborbital launch in November 2022 under Mission Prarambh, which made Skyroot the first private Indian company to launch a rocket and showcased the capability of India’s startup ecosystem to build launch vehicles.
What Is Mission Aagaman?
The company’s first orbital mission has been named Aagaman, a Sanskrit word meaning “arrival.” According to Skyroot, the name reflects India’s arrival on the global stage with a privately developed rocket capable of reaching orbit.
The primary objective of the mission is to validate the performance of Vikram-1 and test key onboard technologies during flight. The data collected from the launch is expected to support the company’s future orbital launch programme.
Beyond the launch itself, Mission Aagaman is widely seen as a key test for India’s fast-growing private space ecosystem. A successful demonstration of Vikram-1’s systems would strengthen Skyroot Aerospace’s plans for future commercial orbital launches and underline the expanding role of private companies in the country’s space ambitions.
