India's first privately-developed rocket reaches orbit on dramatic debut launch
Summary
Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, India’s first fully private rocket, reaching orbit on its first try. The rocket lifted off from Sriharikota Island and placed a payload into a 280-mile-high orbit, marking a major step for India’s private space sector.Key Facts
- Vikram-1 is India’s first fully commercial, privately developed rocket.
- The rocket launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center on Sriharikota Island.
- It reached a 280-mile (450-kilometer) high orbit with a 60-degree tilt to the equator.
- Vikram-1 is about 72 feet (22 meters) tall and can carry up to 770 pounds (350 kilograms) to low Earth orbit.
- The rocket uses three solid-fueled stages and one small liquid-fueled stage.
- The fourth stage used a 3D-printed engine to reach orbital velocity (~17,000 mph).
- The launch had a slight issue with third and fourth stage separation, but reached the target orbit successfully.
- This is the first private Indian rocket to reach orbit on its maiden flight, which is rare globally.
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