SYLLABUS

GS-3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology; Awareness in the fields of Space.

Context: India achieved a historic milestone in its space programme with the successful launch of Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle, by Skyroot Aerospace under Mission Aagaman.

More on the News

• Mission Aagaman successfully lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota, and placed multiple technology demonstration payloads into a 450 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in about 15.5 minutes. 

• With this achievement, India became the third country after the United States and China in the world to demonstrate orbital launch capability through a privately developed launch vehicle, highlighting the success of India's space-sector reforms and growing private participation. 

About Vikram-1

• Developer: Skyroot Aerospace (Hyderabad-based private space startup) 

• Mission Name: Mission Aagaman ("Arrival") 

• Named After: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India's space programme. 

• Launch Site: First Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota. 

• Launch Authorisation: Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). 

• Specifications:

• Height: 22 metres (about seven storeys) 
• Diameter: 1.7 metres 
• Payload Capacity: Up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) 
• Target Orbit (Mission Aagaman): 450 km altitude with 60° inclination 
• Flight Duration: Approximately 15.46 minutes 

• Configuration:

• Three solid-fuel stages. 
• Liquid-fuel Orbital Adjustment Module (OAM) as the fourth stage. 
• Built using an all-carbon composite structure. 
• Powered by indigenously developed propulsion systems, including high-thrust solid rocket motors and a 100% 3D-printed liquid rocket engine. 

• Payloads Carried:

• SCOPE – Skyroot Aerospace. 
• SOLARAS Satellite – Grahaa Space. 
• Embrace – Cosmoserve Space (space debris capture technology). 
• uD3PP & mD3RN – Germany's DCUBED. 
• Cosmic Bloom – Cosmos Diamonds. 
• Micro Art Tribute featuring microscopic sculptures of C.V. Raman, Vikram Sarabhai and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. 
• Handwritten postcards, including one signed by the Prime Minister. 

• Mission Objectives:

• Demonstrate successful lift-off and tower clearance. 
• Validate propulsion, avionics, telemetry, guidance, navigation and control systems. 
• Demonstrate stage separation and orbital injection. 
• Collect real-flight data for future commercial launches. 
• Establish a reliable, on-demand launch service for small satellites. 

Significance

• Historic Milestone for India's Private Space Sector: Vikram-1 became India's first privately developed orbital launch vehicle to successfully place payloads into orbit, representing the next phase of India's commercial space programme. 

• Success of Space Sector Reforms: Demonstrates the impact of the Indian Space Policy 2023, liberalised private participation, and the role of IN-SPACe in enabling private launch companies. 

• Strengthens India's Commercial Launch Capability: Positions India to compete in the rapidly growing global small satellite launch market, where demand for dedicated launches continues to increase. 

• Boosts Indigenous Technology: Validates advanced indigenous technologies including carbon-composite structures, 3D-printed rocket engines, indigenous propulsion systems, and advanced separation mechanisms. 

• Supports India's Space Economy: Reinforces the Government's vision of expanding India's space economy from about USD 8 billion today to USD 40–45 billion by 2030, with a long-term target of USD 100 billion by 2040 through greater private participation.