Engineering:Vikram-I
Vikram-I (Sanskrit, lit. Brave; Namesake: Vikram Sarabhai) is a four-stage, expendable orbital small-lift launch vehicle developed by Skyroot Aerospace. Its first three stages are solid stages, while the fourth stage is a liquid stage.
Development
Skyroot Aerospace unveiled the Vikram-I launch vehicle in October 2023 at its MAX-Q headquarters in Hyderabad.[1] The company stated that the rocket was developed to serve the growing global small satellite launch market.
The vehicle's development followed the successful launch of the suborbital demonstrator Vikram-S in November 2022, which made Skyroot the first Indian private company to launch a rocket from the ISRO's launch facilities.[2]
In May 2022, Skyroot completed a full-duration static test of the Kalam-100 solid rocket stage, a component of Vikram-I.[3] Additional qualification tests, including stage separation tests and avionics validation, were carried out through 2024 and 2025.
In November 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the flight-ready configuration of Vikram-I during the inauguration of Skyroot’s Infinity Campus in Hyderabad.[4]
Design
Vikram-I is a four-stage orbital launch vehicle approximately 20 metres tall and 1.7 metres in diameter.[5] The first three stages use solid propulsion, while the upper kick stage uses liquid propulsion for orbital insertion and adjustment manoeuvres.
The rocket incorporates carbon-composite airframes intended to reduce structural mass. Skyroot has also stated that the vehicle uses 3D-printed liquid engines and modular avionics systems.[6]
Skyroot advertises Vikram-I as a responsive launch system capable of rapid integration and launch operations with minimal launch infrastructure requirements.[7]
Launch statistics
Skyroot aims to conduct its maiden flight in 2026.[8]
| Flight | Date | Spaceport | Payloads | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikram-I | 2026 | Satish Dhawan Space Centre | TBA | First flight of Vikram-I. Rocket stages were delivered to SDSC by late January 2026. |
See also
- Vikram-II
- SSLV
- Agnibaan
- Space industry of India
References
- ↑ Thathoo, Chetan (2023-10-24). "Shooting For The Stars: Skyroot Unveils Orbital Rocket Vikram-I At Its New HQ In Hyderabad" (in en). https://inc42.com/buzz/shooting-for-the-moon-skyroot-unveils-orbital-rocket-vikram-i-at-its-new-hq-in-hyderabad/.
- ↑ "India successfully launches Vikram-S, first privately made rocket" (in en). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/18/india-successfully-launches-vikram-s-first-privately-made-rocket.
- ↑ Alamalhodaei, Aria (2022-05-20). "Skyroot successfully completes full-duration stage test" (in en-US). https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/20/indian-launch-startup-skyroot-successfully-completes-full-duration-stage-test/.
- ↑ "PM Modi to inaugurate Skyroot's Infinity Campus, unveil Vikram-I Orbital Rocket today" (in en-US). https://ddnews.gov.in/en/pm-to-inaugurate-skyroots-infinity-campus-unveil-vikram-i-orbital-rocket-on-november-27/.
- ↑ "Skyroot readies Vikram-1 for India's first private orbital launch - Manufacturing Today India" (in en-US). 2026-04-26. https://www.manufacturingtodayindia.com/skyroot-readies-vikram-1-for-indias-first-private-orbital-launch.
- ↑ "Skyroot Aerospace and Dhawan-II's More Powerful 3D-Printed Cryogenic Engine". https://www.cryogenicsociety.org/index.php?option=com_dailyplanetblog&view=entry&category=industry-news&id=178:skyroot-aerospace-and-dhawan-ii-s-more-powerful-3d-printed-cryogenic-engine.
- ↑ "MSN". https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/insight/skyroot-aerospace-nears-maiden-orbital-rocket-launch-milestone/gm-GMCAD8DC86?gemSnapshotKey=GMCAD8DC86-snapshot-3&uxmode=ruby.
- ↑ "With Skyroot at the head of the class, India's private space industry seeks to take off" (in en). 2026-05-11. https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/05/with-skyroot-at-the-head-of-the-class-indias-private-space-industry-seeks-to-take-off/.
External links
 |  |
