The flight symbolises the emergence of India's private sector as a serious player in the global satellite launch market. (Photo: Skyroot)

Skyroot Vikram-1 launch: When and how to watch India's first private rocket liftoff

India's private space journey is about to reach a defining moment as Skyroot Aerospace prepares for a landmark launch. From the countdown to the mission's biggest objectives, here's everything you need to know.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Skyroot Aerospace to attempt maiden orbital flight of Vikram-1 rocket on July 18
  • Launch from Isro's Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 11:30 am
  • Rocket uses lightweight carbon-composite, 3D-printed engines

India’s private space sector is on the verge of a historic leap.

Hyderabad-based space tech startup Skyroot Aerospace is all geared up to attempt the maiden orbital flight of its indigenous rocket, Vikram-1.

Named Mission Aagaman, meaning arrival, this test flight marks the first time a completely private Indian company will attempt to place a payload directly into Earth's orbit from Indian soil.

The attempt to reach this milestone comes four years after the company’s inception and follows their successful suborbital test flight of the Vikram-S rocket in 2022.

WHEN AND HOW TO WATCH SKYROOT VIKRAM-1 LAUNCH?

The highly anticipated liftoff is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 11:30 am IST.

The 7-story-tall rocket will blast off from the historic First Launch Pad at the Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro) Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

An image of Skyroot's Vikram-1 rocket on the launch pad. (Photo: Skyroot)

Skyroot confirmed that all vehicle integrations, safety checks, and clearances for the flight path are complete.

Those interested in watching history being made in real time will be able to catch the launch live from the comfort of their homes.

Skyroot Aerospace will stream the event live across its official social media handles and YouTube channel beginning approximately 30 minutes before the countdown.

Major digital news platforms, including India Today Science, will also run real-time updates and live broadcasts of the historic launch.

A view of Skyroot's Vikram-1 rocket being assembled. (Photo: Skyroot)

WHY IS SKYROOT VIKRAM-1 SIGNIFICANT?

Unlike the suborbital flight in 2022, which briefly touched space before splashing down, Vikram-1 is an orbital-class vehicle designed to push deep enough to drop satellites into a steady orbit.

The rocket is targeting a 450 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Onboard are several critical technology demonstration payloads from global and Indian space firms, including Grahaa Space, DCubed, and Cosmoserve.

A photo of Grahaa Space's SOLARAS S3 satellite that will be aboard Vikram-1. (Photo: Skyroot)

Notably, Cosmoserve's payload will test a specialised robotic capture system designed to gently catch space junk and defunct satellites, addressing a major issue in modern space science.

Skyroot's SCOPE satellite that will be aboard Vikram-1. (Photo: Skyroot)

To further understand the significance, look at how Vikram-1 was built.

The rocket features a lightweight, all-carbon-composite structure and utilises advanced 3D-printed liquid engines, making it lighter, faster to manufacture, and highly cost-effective.

If successful, Mission Aagaman will officially validate these technologies under actual spaceflight conditions.

A successful launch will open the door for reliable, on-demand commercial satellite launches from India, positioning the country as a major player in the global private space economy.

- Ends