India's first privately built orbital rocket Vikram-1 reaches space, 'Vande Mataram is now in orbit' says cofounder

Muskan BhatiaNew Delhi, July 18 -- In a landmark moment for India's rapidly expanding private space sector, Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace on Saturday successfully launched Vikram-1, the country's first privately developed orbital rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The mission placed the vehicle into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) on its maiden flight, marking a historic milestone for India's commercial space ambitions.

The successful mission represents the first time an Indian private company has developed and launched a rocket that has reached orbit from Indian soil, signalling a major shift in the country's space programme following the opening of the sector to private participation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wh...