India's first private rocket lifts off on historic test flight, all eyes on satellite deployment

Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, from Sriharikota on 18 July 2026, achieving all four stages and satellite deployment on first attempt. The mission marks India's entry into the commercial orbital launch market alongside SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and a handful of other private operators.

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