Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil Vikram-I, India’s first privately built orbital rocket developed by Skyroot Aerospace. The milestone event marks a major boost for India’s private space industry, showcasing the nation’s growing capability and global ambition in low-cost satellite launches.
TheInterviewTimes.com | 26 November 2025: India’s private space sector is set for its biggest leap forward as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to unveil Vikram-I, the country’s first fully privately developed orbital launch vehicle. The virtual ceremony will take place at 11:00 AM IST on 27 November 2025 and will also inaugurate Skyroot Aerospace’s state-of-the-art Infinity Campus in Hyderabad.
Built by the Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot Aerospace, Vikram-I marks a transformative moment for India’s space ambitions and reinforces the impact of the 2020 space sector reforms that opened the gates for private launch companies.
Vikram-I: India’s New Orbital-Class Rocket
Standing 22 metres tall and weighing 32 tonnes, Vikram-I is engineered to place 480 kg into a 500-km Sun-synchronous orbit, or 700 kg into a low-inclination orbit. With a target launch cost of under $6,000 per kg, it aims to undercut several global competitors.
The rocket uses a hybrid architecture with liquid and solid propulsion stages and is named after Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the visionary behind India’s space programme.
Skyroot co-founder and CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana said, “Vikram-I is a statement that Indian private industry can lead the world in space access. Our mission is to democratise launch services for universities, startups, and developing nations.”
This unveiling comes three years after Skyroot’s breakthrough success with Vikram-S, India’s first private sub-orbital rocket launched in November 2022.
Inside the New Infinity Campus
Skyroot’s new 200,000 sq ft Infinity Campus in Hyderabad’s Gachibowli corridor is designed as a world-class rocket factory capable of producing one orbital-class rocket every month. The facility is equipped with:
- Advanced 3D-printing bays
- Carbon-composite winding and machining centres
- Cryogenic test stands
- India’s largest private propulsion testing area
The propulsion facility will validate engines such as the Kalam-100 solid booster and the Raman-250 cryogenic engine, named after scientific giants Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Sir C.V. Raman. These engines form the backbone of Skyroot’s growing Vikram-series launch vehicles.
Policy Reforms, Funding Surge, and Global Ambitions
Skyroot’s rapid ascent reflects the success of IN-SPACe approvals and the 2020 reforms that permitted private launch services. Today, more than a dozen private rockets are under various stages of clearance, but Skyroot remains the most launch-ready.
The startup has raised more than $100 million, including a major $70-million Series-C round backed by Temasek and GIC, valuing the company at nearly $780 million.
With international launch contracts from France, the United States, and Southeast Asia, Skyroot is emerging as a contender in the global small-satellite launch race. Analysts predict the company could secure 10–15% of the global small-launch market by 2030, competing with Rocket Lab’s Electron, China’s private launchers, and emerging European startups.
The first orbital mission of Vikram-I is tentatively targeted for late 2026 from Sriharikota, subject to regulatory approvals.
A Defining Moment for India’s Private Space Industry
Union Minister of State for Space Dr Jitendra Singh emphasized the national impact of this milestone. “When Prime Minister Modi unveils Vikram-I, he will be heralding a new era where India’s private sector stands shoulder-to-shoulder with ISRO.”
As anticipation builds, the sleek white-and-blue rocket stands ready inside the Infinity Campus, symbolising India’s shift toward global space leadership under a public–private ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
- Vikram-I becomes India’s first privately built orbital rocket, marking a major milestone.
- PM Modi will unveil the rocket and Skyroot’s new 200,000 sq ft Infinity Campus on 27 November 2025.
- The rocket aims for low-cost global launches under $6,000/kg.
- Skyroot’s funding, reforms, and global contracts position India as a competitive launch hub.
- The first orbital mission of Vikram-I is planned for the second half of 2026.