India's private space company Skyroot Aerospace achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of the Vikram-1 rocket on July 18, 2026.

The rocket, developed and managed by Skyroot, became the third country after the United States and China to successfully launch an orbital rocket developed by a private enterprise.The Vikram-1 lifted off from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Shriharikota, India.During the mission, the third stage separated but collided with the fourth stage, though no significant damage occurred.The mission carried small satellites, a robotic arm demonstration, and symbolic payloads including gold figurines of key aerospace figures.The Vikram-1, a micro orbital launcher, can place up to 350 kg in low Earth orbit.Skyroot, founded in 2018, plans to expand with the Vikram-1U and Vikram-2 models, aiming to compete with ISRO's SSLV in cost-effectiveness.This achievement marks India's growing private space sector, reducing reliance on public agencies like ISRO.