Science TechnologyTuesday, 21 July 2026·The Hindu - National
Skyroot’s Vikram-1 became India’s third private-orbit launch after the U.S. and China
Skyroot’s Vikram-1 launched from Sriharikota on July 18, 2026 and placed payloads in orbit about 450 km above Earth.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On July 18, 2026, Skyroot’s seven-storey Vikram-1 rocket lifted off from ISRO’s First Launch Pad at Sriharikota and placed its payloads in an orbit about 450 km above Earth.
Key specifics
- The mission was named Aagaman, a Sanskrit word meaning “arrival”.
- India became the third country after the United States and China to have private industry reach orbit on its own launch vehicle.
- The rocket was described as a seven-storey vehicle launched from ISRO’s First Launch Pad.
- Skyroot’s Raman engine test in 2020 used a fully printed injector.
- The company said additive manufacturing cut components and lead time by 80% and halved the mass in its test engine.
Exam lens
Science and technology question type: statement-based and match the following. Focus on Vikram-1, Aagaman, Sriharikota, 450 km orbit, and additive manufacturing in rocket engines.