New Delhi [India]: India's first private orbital rocket, Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1, is all set for launch.
The rocket will lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 11.30 am local time.
While standing 22 meters tall, Vikram-1 marks a major milestone for India's emerging private space sector.
The launch is a big step forward for the country's commercial space ambitions.
The multi-stage launch vehicle is capable of carrying satellites weighing up to 350 kilograms of low Earth orbit.
The rocket has been built with an all-carbon composite structure and is powered by indigenously developed propulsion systems.
Vikram-1 will carry multiple technology demonstration payloads, including sky routes and in-house satellite payload called SCOPE.
It is designed to validate onboard spacecraft telemetry, communications, and mission navigation technologies.
A specialized Earth observation nanosatellite called Solaris S3 is also on board Vikram-1.
An innovative robotic arm embrace and a microsatellite technology demonstration payload are also on board.
Now, this will be the first time a privately designed and developed orbital class rocket attempts to fly from Indian soil.
The mission will also mark India's first attempt to place a privately built rocket into orbit.
Vikram-1 has been developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroad Airspace.
The company was founded in 2018 by former ISRO engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka. This will be Vikram-1's maiden flight.
As a test mission, it is designed to validate the rocket systems under real spaceflight conditions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday on X posted, "A historic new frontier for India’s space journey! At 11:30 AM today, Skyroot Aerospace will undertake the maiden orbital launch of Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed launch vehicle."
"This four-stage rocket is designed to provide rapid and on-demand launch services. This mission highlights the talent, determination and entrepreneurial spirit of our youth. It also shows how our space-sector reforms are unlocking new opportunities for innovation and enterprise. My best wishes to the entire Skyroot Aerospace team for a successful launch. May Vikram-1 soar high, create history and inspire a generation of innovators," he wrote.
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