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ScienceSkyroot's Vikram-1 launch makes India third country after US, China with private orbital capability
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On July 18, 2026, Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched its Vikram-1 rocket from ISRO's First Launch Pad at Sriharikota. The seven-story rocket placed payloads into a 450 km orbit about 15 minutes after liftoff. The mission, named Aagaman (Sanskrit for 'arrival'), made India only the third country after the United States and China where a private company has independently reached orbit with its own launch vehicle. The article highlights Skyroot's use of 3D printing (additive manufacturing) for the Raman engine, which reduced component count and lead time by 80% compared to conventional manufacturing, and halved the mass of the injector. This technological innovation marks a significant milestone for India's private space sector.
Source report
Historic Launch
The Vikram-1 rocket, built by Hyderabad-based firm Skyroot Aerospace, launched successfully just after noon on July 18, 2026. The seven-storey rocket lifted off from ISRO's First Launch Pad at Sriharikota and, within approximately 15 minutes, deployed its payloads into an orbit roughly 450 km above Earth.
The mission — named Aagaman, Sanskrit for "arrival" — marks India as only the third country, after the United States and China, whose private industry can reach orbit using its own launch vehicle.
3D Printing Innovation
Rocket engines have traditionally been forged, machined, and welded from dozens of parts. 3D printing, known in engineering as additive manufacturing, reverses this process: a laser fuses metal powder layer by layer, building the component from nothing.
This approach offers significant advantages. An engine printed as a single piece eliminates the bolts, seals, and joints where conventional engines are prone to leaks and failure. When Skyroot test-fired its Raman engine in 2020, the company reported that the fully printed injector halved the mass and reduced both components and lead time by 80% compared to conventional manufacturing.
Photo Credit: AFP — A Vikram-S rocket model at Skyroot Aerospace facility on the outskirts of Hyderabad, photographed on July 7, 2026.
Source
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Regional
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India's first private orbital rocket Vikram-1 set for July 18 launch