Sriharikota, July 18 -- India's space sector has officially entered a new epoch. Today, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace successfully executed "Mission Aagaman," marking the maiden flight of Vikram-1--the nation's first privately developed orbital-class rocket.

This isn't just another launch; it represents a tectonic shift in India's space narrative. Historically the domain of government-led programs, orbital access is now open for private enterprise.

The 24-metre, carbon-composite rocket stands as a testament to indigenous engineering, powered by a sophisticated configuration of three solid-fuel stages and a liquid orbital adjustment module.

The mission, designed to deploy payloads up to 350 kg in...