Vikram-S: India’s first private rocket launch date confirmed

India’s space regulator has authorised the launch of the country’s first rocket which is built by a private-sector company. Vikram-S is a suborbital vehicle that is developed by the private company Skyroot Aerospace. According to a report by PTI, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has approved the maiden launch by the private Indian space start-up Skyroot Aerospace. The Indian space regulator also added that the Vikram-S suborbital vehicle will take off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO on November 18 between 11 am and 12 pm.
India’s first private rocket launch: More details
Jitendra Singh who is the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office will witness the maiden launch of the privately-developed rocket from Sriharikota. In 2020, PM Modi opened up India’s space sector for private participation. Singh claims that the launch of Vikram-S will turn out to be a major milestone in ISRO’s journey.

Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-S is a single-stage spin-stabilised solid propellant rocket which has a mass of approximately 550 kilograms, Singh added. He mentioned that the rocket will reach a maximum altitude of 101 kilometres before it splashes into the sea. Singh even confirmed that the overall duration of the launch will be a mere 300 seconds. Moreover, Skyroot was also the first startup that signed an MoU with ISRO to launch its rockets, the Union Minister noted.
India’s private space sector
Singh said that the reforms made in India’s space sector have unleashed the “innovative potential of start-ups”. He also cited that within a short period, nearly 102 start-ups have started working in multiple areas related to outer space including — nano-satellite, launch vehicles, ground systems, space debris management and research.