Vikram S, India's first privately built rocket was launched today at 11.30 AM on November 18, 2022 from Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) launchpad in Sriharikota.

The 6-meter-tall spacecraft, developed by  Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited, a four year old Hyderabad based start-up, reached a maximum altitude of 89.5 kilometres before crashing into the Bay of Bengal about five minutes after the launch. The mission was called Misson Prarambh meaning 'the beginning'.

Vikram S has been named after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India’s space.

Vikram S is a single-stage solid fuelled, sub-orbital rocket developed over the course of two years by incorporating advanced technologies including carbon composite structures and 3D-printed components.

The rocket was equipped with a gross lift off mass of 545kg, and payload mass of 80 kg. It carried with it three customer payloads, out of which two belonged to domestic customers and the other, a foreign client.

These payloads will map the measurement and validation of specific flight parameters and payload integration processes.

The launch served as a technological demonstration of the company's capabilities. Subject to IN-technical SPACe's approval, the rocket will aid in the validation of technology that will be utilised in Skyroot's upcoming Vikram-1 orbital vehicle, which is scheduled for launch next year.

After the mission's successful launch, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) chairman Pawan Goenka said, “All systems worked as planned. Skyroot demonstrated sub-systems that will go into their orbital class launch vehicles. This is a new beginning for the Indian space sector and a historic moment for all of us.”

Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh and Chairman, IN-SPACe congratulated Skyroot for the accomplishment and thanked ISRO for the able support provided.

Singh said, "It is indeed a new beginning and a new dawn in the journey of India's space programme."

Pawan Kumar Chandana, CEO and co-founder of Skyroot Aerospace, said, "We created history today by launching India's first privately developed rocket. It's the beginning of a new era in the Indian space ecosystem. We thank IN-SPACe and Isro."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls it a historic moment for India and congratulates the companies for the successful launch.

He took his social media and wrote, “A historic moment for India as the rocket Vikram-S, developed by Skyroot Aerospace, took off from Sriharikota today! It is an important milestone in the journey of India’s private space industry. Congrats to @isro & @INSPACeIND for enabling this feat”, the prime minister tweeted.