Hyderabad-based private space startup Skyroot Aerospace is set to launch its first orbital rocket, Vikram-1, on July 18 as part of its Mission Aagaman. The test flight, called Vikram-1 Test Flight-1, is scheduled to lift off from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, with Skyroot citing a launch time of 11:30 a.m. IST. Skyroot says the mission is designed to demonstrate capabilities of the privately developed, indigenously built four-stage launch vehicle and to support India’s commercial space ambitions.
Among the special payloads onboard is a handwritten postcard bearing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message, “Vande Mataram.” Skyroot describes the postcard as part of an initiative it calls Mission Aagaman and says similar keepsakes include handwritten notes from Skyroot team members, investors, policymakers and well-wishers globally.
The company also states that airspace and maritime clearances have been secured and that authorities have notified restricted zones along the rocket’s ascent and impact corridor. Skyroot says additional payloads include technology demonstration items from multiple partners, along with an artwork micro-art payload.
