Vikram-1 (Space & Defence Sectors)
Vikram-1 (Space & Defence Sectors)
Why In News:
Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace has announced a launch window between 12 July and 4 August 2026 for the maiden flight of Vikram-1, described as India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket.
The mission, named 'Agaman', will lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, targeting a Low Earth Orbit of 450 km at a 60-degree inclination.
Vikram-1 is designed to carry payloads of up to 350 kg, and builds on Skyroot's earlier Vikram-S, which in November 2022 became the first privately built Indian rocket to reach space, albeit on a sub-orbital trajectory.
Source: The Hindu, Page 6, 3 July 2026, 'Vikram-1, India's first-ever privately developed orbital rocket, gears up for launch'
About Skyroot Aerospace
Founded in 2018 by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka.
Became India's first space-sector unicorn, crossing a $1 billion valuation.
India's Private Space Sector: The Enabling Framework
IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), set up in 2020, functions as the single-window nodal agency authorising and promoting private space activities.
The Indian Space Policy, 2023 delineated roles for ISRO (research and development), NSIL (New Space India Limited) (commercial arm), IN-SPACe (regulator/promoter) and private players (end-to-end activities).
India liberalised FDI norms for the space sector in 2024, permitting up to 100% FDI in satellite component manufacturing under the automatic route, and calibrated limits for satellite operation and launch-vehicle segments.
Types of Orbits Based on Altitude
Orbits are classified based on their altitude from the Earth’s surface.
The speed and orbital period of a satellite vary with altitude, with higher orbits having slower speeds and longer time periods.
a) High Earth Orbit (HEO)
It lies at and beyond 35,786 km above the Earth’s surface.
In this orbit, the satellite’s orbital period matches the Earth’s rotation, making it appear stationary over a particular longitude.
Such an orbit is known as a geosynchronous orbit.
b) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
It lies between 2,000 km and 35,786 km above the Earth’s surface.
Satellites in this orbit have an orbital period ranging from 2 to 24 hours.
Important types of MEO include semi-synchronous orbit and Molniya orbit.
c) Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
It lies between 160 km and 1,000 km above the Earth’s surface.
Satellites in this orbit take approximately 88 to 127 minutes to complete one revolution around the Earth.
The International Space Station (ISS) is placed in this orbit and completes about 16 revolutions per day.