Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated Skyroot Aerospace’s new Infinity Campus in Hyderabad and unveiled the company’s upcoming Vikram-I orbital rocket through video conferencing.

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s rapid progress in space technology, noting that the country has built a strong global reputation through “credibility, capacity, and value.” He commended private players like Skyroot for accelerating innovation in India’s growing space sector.

Skyroot’s newly built Infinity Campus is a state-of-the-art facility spread across nearly 200,000 sq ft. The campus is equipped with advanced infrastructure to design, develop, integrate, and test multiple launch vehicles under one roof.

One of the major highlights is its manufacturing capacity; the facility has been created to produce one orbital rocket every month, marking a significant leap in private space manufacturing capability in India.

Skyroot Aerospace was founded by Pawan Chandana and Bharath Daka, both IIT graduates and former ISRO engineers. Since its launch, the Hyderabad-based company has quickly become one of India’s most prominent private space startups. In November 2022, Skyroot successfully launched Vikram-S, India’s first privately built sub-orbital rocket, placing the company on the global space map.

What is Vikram-I?

The newly unveiled Vikram-I rocket is Skyroot’s first orbital-class launch vehicle. It is named after Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India’s space programme.

Key features include:

  • Payload capacity: Can place up to 300 kg into low Earth orbit
  • Structure: Fully carbon-fibre-bodied for optimal strength and weight
  • Design: A multi-stage rocket capable of deploying multiple satellites
  • Propulsion: Uses 3D-printed liquid engines, offering improved efficiency and faster manufacturing

Vikram-I is expected to boost India’s small-satellite launch market, providing quicker and more cost-effective access to space for domestic and international customers.

Skyroot Aerospace’s new campus and the unveiling of Vikram-I mark another major milestone in India’s private spaceflight journey. With its growing capabilities, the company is poised to contribute significantly to the country’s ambitions in commercial space launches.