PM unveils Vikram-1 orbital rocket,launches Skyroot's facility

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated Skyroot Aerospace’s new Infinity Campus in Hyderabad via video conferencing and unveiled the company’s first orbital rocket, Vikram-I, which is capable of launching satellites into orbit. Calling it a major moment for India’s private space sector, the Prime Minister said the country is “witnessing an unprecedented opportunity in the space sector” and noted that the private space ecosystem is expanding rapidly. “Skyroot’s Infinity Campus reflects India’s new thinking, innovation and youth power,” he said. “Our youth power, with its innovation, risk-taking ability and entrepreneurship, is reaching new heights.”

The Prime Minister congratulated Skyroot founders Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, saying the two young entrepreneurs are an inspiration for emerging space innovators. “They trusted themselves, did not shy away from taking risks, and as a result the entire nation is witnessing their success today,” he said.The Prime Minister said that the space sector has become essential for communication, agriculture, marine monitoring, weather, urban planning and national security, which is why the government initiated major reforms. He highlighted policy changes such as opening the space sector to private participation, enabling startups through IN-SPACe, and preparing a new national space policy. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy also attended the event in Hyderabad.

Skyroot's state-of-the-art facility will have around two lakh sq.ft. workspace for designing, developing, integrating and testing multiple launch vehicles, with a capacity to build one orbital rocket every month.In November 2022, Skyroot launched its sub-orbital rocket, Vikram-S, becoming the first Indian private company to do so. Skyroot is India's leading private space company, founded by Pawan Chandana and Bharath Dhaka, both IIT alumni and former scientists of ISRO