Can India Solve Its Launch Vehicle Crisis Before Its Space Ambitions Outrun Its Rockets?

Can India Solve Its Launch Vehicle Crisis Before Its Space Ambitions Outrun Its Rockets?

On July 18, 2026, Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. The privately developed Indian rocket carried multiple payloads, and ISRO reported that the SCOPE and Grahaa satellites were injected into low Earth orbit. The flight made Skyroot the Indian private company that achieved orbital launch from Indian soil on its maiden orbital attempt.

Skyroot Vikram-1, the least worst case scenario for India’s launch crisis

First launch of Skyroot’s Vikram-1 rocket from ISRO’s Sriharikota launch complex. Images: Skyroot AerospaceThe successful launch of Skyroot Aerospace’s small Vikram-1 rocket on July 18, sans the mixed outcome for payloads, has been hailed as a revolutionary launch success for India by the company, ISRO, the Indian government, various media outlets, industry executives, and people at large. That it’s rare globally to achieve orbit on first attemp…