Vikram-I
| Function | Small-lift launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Skyroot Aerospace |
| Country of origin | India |
| Size | |
| Height | 24 m (79 ft) |
| Stages | 4 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO (500 km @ 45° inclination) | |
| Mass | 350 kg (770 lb) |
| Payload to SSPO (500 km) | |
| Mass | 260 kg (570 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Comparable | |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launch sites | |
| First stage (Kalam 1200) | |
| Powered by | Kalam 1000 |
| Maximum thrust | 1,000 kN (220,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Second stage (Kalam 250) | |
| Powered by | Kalam 250 |
| Maximum thrust | 250 kN (56,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Third stage (Vikram-I) | |
| Powered by | Kalam 100 |
| Maximum thrust | 100 kN (22,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Fourth stage (Vikram-I) | |
| Powered by | 4 x Raman-I |
| Maximum thrust | 3.4 kN (760 lbf) |
| Propellant | N2O4/MMH |
Vikram-I (Sanskrit, lit. 'Brave'; Namesake: Vikram Sarabhai) is a four-stage, expendable orbital small-lift launch vehicle developed by Skyroot Aerospace. Its first three stages are solid stages, while the fourth stage is a liquid stage.
Development
Skyroot Aerospace unveiled the Vikram-I launch vehicle in October 2023 at its MAX-Q headquarters in Hyderabad.[1] The company stated that the rocket was developed to serve the growing global small satellite launch market.
The vehicle's development followed the successful launch of the suborbital demonstrator Vikram-S in November 2022, which made Skyroot the first Indian private company to launch a rocket from the ISRO's launch facilities.[2]
In May 2022, Skyroot completed a full-duration static test of the Kalam-100 solid rocket stage, a component of Vikram-I.[3] Additional qualification tests, including stage separation tests and avionics validation, were carried out through 2024 and 2025.
In November 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the flight-ready configuration of Vikram-I during the inauguration of Skyroot’s Infinity Campus in Hyderabad.[4]
Design
Vikram-I is a four-stage orbital launch vehicle approximately 20 metres tall and 1.7 metres in diameter.[5] The first three stages use solid propulsion, while the upper kick stage uses liquid propulsion for orbital insertion and adjustment manoeuvres.
The rocket incorporates carbon-composite airframes intended to reduce structural mass. Skyroot has also stated that the vehicle uses 3D-printed liquid engines and modular avionics systems.[6]
Skyroot advertises Vikram-I as a responsive launch system capable of rapid integration and launch operations with minimal launch infrastructure requirements.[7]
Launch statistics
Skyroot aims to conduct its maiden flight in 2026.[8]
| Flight | Date | Spaceport | Payloads | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikram-I | 2026 | Satish Dhawan Space Centre | TBA | First flight of Vikram-I. Rocket stages were delivered to SDSC by late January 2026. |
See also
References
- ^ Thathoo, Chetan (24 October 2023). "Shooting For The Stars: Skyroot Unveils Orbital Rocket Vikram-I At Its New HQ In Hyderabad". Inc42 Media. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ^ "India successfully launches Vikram-S, first privately made rocket". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ^ Alamalhodaei, Aria (20 May 2022). "Skyroot successfully completes full-duration stage test". TechCrunch. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ^ "PM Modi to inaugurate Skyroot's Infinity Campus, unveil Vikram-I Orbital Rocket today". ddnews.gov.in. Archived from the original on 8 December 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ^ "Skyroot readies Vikram-1 for India's first private orbital launch - Manufacturing Today India". 26 April 2026. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ^ "Skyroot Aerospace and Dhawan-II's More Powerful 3D-Printed Cryogenic Engine". www.cryogenicsociety.org. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ^ "With Skyroot at the head of the class, India's private space industry seeks to take off". Ars Technica. 11 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.