India's First Private Orbital Rocket Vikram-1 Takes Shape at Sriharikota

Sriharikota: India is getting closer to a big moment in space history. Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot Aerospace is building 'Vikram-1'. It is the country's first privately made orbital rocket. It is being assembled at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Skyroot has also released the first look from the spaceport. The images show Stage 2 of the rocket, named Kalam-250. It is fully integrated inside the facility. The flex nozzle, actuators and interstages have all been mounted and assembled. Two more stages are still to be completed. Once those are done the rocket will move closer to its launch date.

What Makes Vikram-1 Different?

Vikram-1 is built entirely in India. It is four stages tall and stands 24 metres high. The body is made from carbon composite material which is stronger than steel but far lighter. When solid fuel burns inside the rocket it generates enormous heat. To protect the structure from that heat a special rubber thermal shield has been fitted around the body. The rocket has its own navigation system to keep it on course through wind and gravitational forces during flight. Computer-controlled robotic parts will keep adjusting the nozzle direction throughout the flight to maintain the right trajectory. The spent stages separate automatically the moment they are no longer needed. That clean separation is one of the most critical features of the design.

What this means for India?

When Vikram-1 flies, it will carry small satellites weighing up to 350 kg into low earth orbit. That capability puts India in a very select group of countries that have their own private orbital rockets. Until now private rocket launches from Indian soil were not a reality. Skyroot is about to change that. The space startup ecosystem in India has been growing steadily since the government opened up the sector to private players. Vikram-1 is the clearest sign yet of how far that ecosystem has come.