Vikram-I
Vikram-I (Sanskrit, lit. Brave; Namesake: Vikram Sarabhai) is a four-stage, expendable orbital small-lift launch vehicle developed by Skyroot Aerospace. Its first three stages are solid stages, while the fourth stage is a liquid stage.
Development
Skyroot Aerospace unveiled the Vikram-I launch vehicle in October 2023 at its MAX-Q headquarters in Hyderabad.[1] The company stated that the rocket was developed to serve the growing global small satellite launch market.
The vehicle's development followed the successful launch of the suborbital demonstrator Vikram-S in November 2022, which made Skyroot the first Indian private company to launch a rocket from the ISRO's launch facilities.[2]
In May 2022, Skyroot completed a full-duration static test of the Kalam-100 solid rocket stage, a component of Vikram-I.[3] Additional qualification tests, including stage separation tests and avionics validation, were carried out through 2024 and 2025.
In November 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the flight-ready configuration of Vikram-I during the inauguration of Skyroot’s Infinity Campus in Hyderabad.[4]
Design
Vikram-I is a four-stage orbital launch vehicle approximately 20 metres tall and 1.7 metres in diameter.[5] The first three stages use solid propulsion, while the upper kick stage uses liquid propulsion for orbital insertion and adjustment manoeuvres.
The rocket incorporates carbon-composite airframes intended to reduce structural mass. Skyroot has also stated that the vehicle uses 3D-printed liquid engines and modular avionics systems.[6]
Skyroot advertises Vikram-I as a responsive launch system capable of rapid integration and launch operations with minimal launch infrastructure requirements.[7]
Launch statistics
Skyroot aims to conduct its maiden flight in 2026.[8]
| Flight | Date | Spaceport | Payloads | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikram-I | 2026 | Satish Dhawan Space Centre | TBA | First flight of Vikram-I. Rocket stages were delivered to SDSC by late January 2026. |
See also
References
- ↑ Thathoo, Chetan (2023-10-24). "Shooting For The Stars: Skyroot Unveils Orbital Rocket Vikram-I At Its New HQ In Hyderabad". Inc42 Media. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "India successfully launches Vikram-S, first privately made rocket". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ Alamalhodaei, Aria (2022-05-20). "Skyroot successfully completes full-duration stage test". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "PM Modi to inaugurate Skyroot's Infinity Campus, unveil Vikram-I Orbital Rocket today". ddnews.gov.in. Archived from the original on 2025-12-08. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "Skyroot readies Vikram-1 for India's first private orbital launch - Manufacturing Today India". 2026-04-26. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "Skyroot Aerospace and Dhawan-II's More Powerful 3D-Printed Cryogenic Engine". www.cryogenicsociety.org. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "With Skyroot at the head of the class, India's private space industry seeks to take off". Ars Technica. 2026-05-11. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
External links
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