Sriharikota, July 16 -- India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, Vikram-1, built by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, is scheduled for its maiden test flight, "Mission Aagaman," from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 18 at 11:30 AM.

The 24-metre rocket marks the first time an Indian private company will attempt to place satellites into orbit using its own launch vehicle, independent of a government-developed rocket or launch vehicle programme.

Built entirely with a lightweight carbon-composite structure, Vikram-1 is powered by three solid-fuel stages and a liquid orbital adjustment module.

The mission is designed to deploy payloads weighing up to 350 kg into a 450-km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with a 60-d...