Skyroot Aerospace is targeting the launch of India’s first privately built orbital rocket Vikram-1 in a few weeks, as the Hyderabad-based startup completes final integration and testing ahead of liftoff from Sriharikota.

The private space launch company is set to announce a launch window soon. It has already dispatched key hardware to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, with all remaining components expected to reach the spaceport by the end of this week. Propulsion stages for the rocket had been shipped earlier, while recently completed electrical integration tests, covering the vehicle’s avionics, control systems and onboard “brain”, mark a critical milestone before the launch.

“We have completed the most critical integrated testing of the rocket and are now sending hardware to Sriharikota in phases,” Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder and chief executive of Skyroot Aerospace, told ET.

The launch window is expected to span roughly a month from its opening date in June, with the final schedule dependent on regulatory approvals and vehicle readiness. The mission will last about 15 minutes, during which the rocket is expected to place payloads into low-Earth orbit at an altitude exceeding 400 km.

Test flight

Unlike its predecessor Vikram-S, a suborbital mission launched in 2022, Vikram-1 represents a full-fledged orbital vehicle, a key capability for commercial satellite launches.

Chandana described the maiden mission as a “test flight”, adding that first-time orbital launches are inherently complex and rarely succeed without iterative learning. “The objective is to gather as much data as possible from the first flight, which will help us move towards regular commercial launches,” he said.

The rocket will carry a mix of payloads, including Earth observation satellites and in-orbit experimental modules, from both domestic and international customers. However, details of payload partners will be disclosed closer to launch, subject to regulatory clearances.

Using ISRO ecosystem

The mission is being carried out under the authorisation of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, which has facilitated access to critical infrastructure, including testing and launch facilities of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Skyroot Aerospace has used ISRO’s propulsion test facilities and launch infrastructure at Sriharikota, pointing to the growing collaboration between public and private players in India’s space sector.

Commercial runway

A successful Vikram-1 launch could significantly boost the company’s commercial prospects. The company already has an interest pipeline from global satellite operators, particularly in the US, Europe and Southeast Asia.

“The moment we demonstrate successful launches, the order book will start building up rapidly,” Chandana said, adding that demand is driven by Earth observation and communication satellite companies.

Skyroot Aerospace is positioning itself as a provider of dedicated launch services for customers seeking specific orbital parameters and scheduling flexibility, an alternative to rideshare missions offered by larger global players.

Launch cadence

Looking ahead, the startup plans multiple Vikram-1 launches and aims to scale up manufacturing to support higher launch frequency. Its existing facilities have the capacity to produce up to one rocket per month, though achieving that cadence will depend on successful early missions.

Profitability could take “a couple of years”, Chandana said, contingent on building a steady launch cadence and a track record of successful missions.

If successful, the mission will propel the company into a small group of global private companies capable of orbital launches, an inflection point for India’s nascent private space ecosystem as it seeks to expand launch capacity and compete internationally.