PM Modi Unveils India’s First Privately Developed Orbital Rocket

What Happened: A Milestone for India’s Private Space Sector

On November 27, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the sprawling 200,000-square-foot “Infinity Campus” of Skyroot Aerospace in Hyderabad — marking a watershed moment for the country’s commercial space ambitions. At the same event, he unveiled the company’s latest innovation: the Vikram-I rocket, the first orbital-class launch vehicle developed entirely by a private Indian firm.

With this move, India joins a growing list of countries where private firms are capable of launching satellites into orbit. As PM Modi stated, this achievement reflects “youth power, innovation and entrepreneurship,” signaling India’s readiness to compete globally in the satellite-launch ecosystem.

What Is Vikram-I — Key Specs & Capabilities

Payload Capacity: Vikram-I is designed to deliver roughly 300 kg of payload to low Earth orbit (LEO).

Rising from a Legacy: The rocket is named after Vikram Sarabhai — widely regarded as the father of India’s space programme — linking private-sector ambitions to India’s space heritage.

Manufacturing Ambition: The new Infinity Campus has the capacity to produce one orbital rocket per month, underlining Skyroot’s aim to support frequent and flexible launch schedules.

Rapid Deployment Focus: Vikram-I is part of Skyroot’s broader “Vikram” rocket family. Earlier, the firm successfully launched a sub-orbital rocket — Vikram-S — in November 2022, marking India’s first privately developed rocket launch.

Skyroot Aerospace — founded by former engineers (including alumni of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology) — is aiming to transform the country’s space landscape from public monolith to vibrant private-public collaboration.

Why It Matters: Implications for India and the Global Space Market

Boost for India’s Space-Tech Ecosystem

The success of Vikram-I would mark the first privately developed orbital-class rocket in India, breaking ground for startups and private firms to contribute meaningfully to space launches — not only national agencies.

With one-rocket-per-month production potential, Skyroot could deliver frequent, small-satellite launch services — enabling academic institutions, businesses, and governments (domestic and international) to access space at lower cost and with more scheduling flexibility.

Growing Private Sector Participation & Youth-Driven Innovation

PM Modi lauded the growing “space startup revolution” led by young engineers, coders, and scientists — claiming that India now has over 300 space-sector startups following liberalisation of the space sector.

This shift unleashes a wave of innovation, from propulsion systems and satellite platforms to launch logistics — and positions India among the emerging global hubs for commercial space activity.

Global Relevance: Cost-Effective Launch Options & New Market Dynamics

As demand for small satellites — for Earth observation, communication, remote sensing — surges, cost-effective small-launcher options like Vikram-I gain importance. Skyroot’s entry makes India a competitive alternative to established launch providers, potentially influencing global launch pricing, scheduling, and satellite deployment strategies.

What’s Next: What to Watch

Maiden Flight & Performance: The first mission of Vikram-I will be closely monitored. Its success (or failure) could shape investor and customer confidence in India’s private rocket industry.

Commercial Launch Orders: Should Vikram-I prove reliable and cost-effective, Skyroot may attract international satellite operators — bringing new revenue, technology transfer, and global collaboration opportunities.

Ecosystem Growth: Growth in infrastructure, supply chains (avionics, materials, satellite manufacturing), jobs for engineers and technicians — entire value-chain benefits could ripple across India’s tech and manufacturing sectors.

Policy & Regulatory Trends: Continued government support, regulatory clarity, and investment incentives will be crucial for sustaining private space businesses; Vikram-I’s success could spur more favourable policies.

Conclusion: A New Era for Indian Space Ambitions

The unveiling of Vikram-I by Skyroot Aerospace — backed by PM Modi’s endorsement — signals a turning point: India is no longer just reliant on government-run space missions. With a private company now capable of orbital launches, the door is open for an era of innovation, competition, and democratized access to space.

If Vikram-I delivers on its promise, we may soon see a surge of small satellites launched not just for national projects, but for global clients — and a new generation of Indian engineers and entrepreneurs shaping the future of space.