Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday hailed the successful launch of Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle, calling it a defining milestone in the country’s space journey and a powerful reflection of its rapidly growing innovation ecosystem.
Congratulating Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace on the historic achievement, Majhi said the successful mission showcased the extraordinary capabilities of India’s scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs and highlighted the growing strength of the country’s private space sector. He also credited the achievement to the transformative reforms introduced in the space sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The launch of Vikram-1 marks a defining milestone in India’s space journey and a proud testament to the growing strength of our innovation ecosystem. As India’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle, it reflects the extraordinary capabilities of our scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs, empowered by the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji and transformative space sector reforms,” the Chief Minister said in a post on social media platform X.
Majhi extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the entire Skyroot Aerospace team for the landmark mission, saying the successful launch demonstrated India’s growing prowess in cutting-edge technology and private space exploration.
He said the mission, coming 46 years after the historic SLV-3 launch, was a fitting tribute to India’s pioneering space legacy while opening new frontiers in advanced technology, private enterprise and commercial space exploration.
Expressing confidence in the country’s expanding space ecosystem, the Chief Minister said the achievement would inspire a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs while strengthening India’s position as a global leader in the space sector. He added that the success of Vikram-1 underscored the remarkable progress made by India’s private space industry and reflected the nation’s vision of becoming a major force in the global commercial space economy.
Meanwhile, India scripted a historic chapter in its space programme on Saturday as Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1 under Mission Aagaman, making it the country’s first privately developed orbital rocket. With the achievement, India became only the third country after the United States and China to have a private company capable of launching a rocket into orbit.
The rocket lifted off from the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant milestone for India’s rapidly expanding private space industry.
“LIFT-OFF! Vikram-1 has left the pad at Sriharikota. India’s first privately developed orbital rocket is flying. History is being made,” Skyroot Aerospace posted on X moments after the launch.
The company later confirmed that the vehicle had achieved safe tower clearance, stating, “At T+10 seconds, Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 has cleared the launch tower.”
The successful mission is expected to accelerate private participation in India’s space programme and strengthen the country’s ambitions of emerging as a major player in the global commercial launch market.
