India on Saturday scripted history as it sent its first privately developed orbital-class rocket.
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 lifted off from the first launchpad at 12:05 pm at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
The mission, named "Aagaman" (Sanskrit for "arrival"), marked a watershed moment for India's burgeoning private space sector as the 24-metre carbon-composite rocket completed all planned flight stages, including stage separations and the firing of its Orbital Adjustment Module. The Kalam-1200 first stage, named after former president and missile man Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, shouldered the rocket through the densest layers of the atmosphere before peeling away cleanly. Then came the Kalam-250, followed by the diminutive but determined Kalam-100, the smallest and highest-flying of the solid stages. But it was the Orbital Adjustment Module that delivered the final flourish. Its 3D-printed liquid engine, capable of starting, stopping, and restarting in the vacuum of space, gave Vikram-1 that last push into orbit. The mission also showcased the growing capabilities of India's private space sector. The mission carried multiple payloads, including the "Diamond Lotus", a lab-grown diamond from Bengaluru-based Cosmos Diamonds, ANI reported. A handwritten postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inscribed with the words "Vande Mataram," now orbits our planet. It's joined by messages from the Skyroot team, investors, policymakers, and well-wishers from across the globe. With this development, India has proven that private enterprise can accomplish what was once the sole domain of government agencies. The Vikram-1, designed to carry up to 350 kilograms to low Earth orbit, represents not just a technological milestone, but also reflects India's vision of a space sector driven by both government and private enterprise. Prime Minister Modi has congratulated the Skyroot team on the successful launch of Vikram-1. In a post on X, he said, "This is a defining moment in India's space journey. The growing participation of our private sector is opening new frontiers and accelerating innovation." He stated that this achievement will encourage countless youngsters to "dream bigger and innovate fearlessly."Mission Aagaman: Inside Vikram-1, India's Historic First Private Orbital Space Launch
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