'Planted India's aspirations in space': Modi praises Skyroot; ministers hail PM's space reforms

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Skyroot Aerospace after its Vikram-1 became India's first privately developed orbital rocket to successfully reach space, describing the achievement as proof of the country's push towards self-reliance.

Speaking to Skyroot CEO and co-founder Pawan Kumar Chandana and co-founder Naga Bharath Daka over the phone after the launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Modi praised the young team behind the mission.

"I congratulate you and your entire team on this significant milestone and this remarkable success," the Prime Minister said.

"You have made India proud. You have planted India's aspirations in space and have also given roots to the dreams of the youth."

Reflecting on the emotions before liftoff, Modi said: "At first, I could see concern on your faces, but then I noticed that the atmosphere had changed into one of celebration."

He added that the achievement validated his confidence in India's young innovators.

"Your team has proved my faith in the youth of India right. Many doubted our space dreams, but this team has shown that if trusted, Indian youth can do wonders."

Calling the mission a milestone for India's space ambitions, Modi said it demonstrated the country's growing technological capabilities.

"The mission proves we can be Atmanirbhar," he said.

Referring to the mission's name, Mission Aagaman, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that it marked the beginning of a much bigger journey for the Hyderabad-based company.

"I had to be part of this historic moment," he said, before ending the call with the message: "Aap aage badhiye, soar high. I am with you."

'Vande Mataram is now in space'

During the conversation, Chandana informed the Prime Minister that Vikram-1 had been completely designed and manufactured in India.

He also highlighted that a handwritten postcard carrying Modi's message, "Vande Mataram", had successfully reached orbit aboard the rocket.

"Your card has successfully reached orbit. Vande Mataram is in orbit," Chandana said before adding, "Vande Mataram is now in space."

Explaining why he had written only those two words on the postcard, Modi said the gesture carried symbolic significance.

He said he wanted to mark the 150th year of the national song while also recognising how Vande Mataram had continued to inspire generations of young Indians.

"You have lived the spirit of Vande Mataram," he told the team.

Jaishankar, Jitendra Singh hail historic achievement

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the launch as a landmark moment for India's private space sector.

"India's space ambitions soar to new heights! The successful launch of #Vikram1, India's first privately developed launch vehicle, by #SkyrootA today is truly historic," he wrote on X.

"The rocket is a reflection of what can be achieved when the innovation and entrepreneurial drive of India's youth are backed by the bold reforms of PM @narendramodi's vision."

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh also credited the reforms that opened the space sector to private companies.

"Every Indian is feeling proud," he said.

"Let's not forget, most of all the credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Had he not taken that courageous out-of-the-box decision about five or six years back of unlocking the space sector and opening up the gates of Sriharikota to private players, we would not have been witness to this event today."

He added that India had witnessed "a quantum leap" in both the space economy and the number of space start-ups, noting that Skyroot had emerged as the country's space-sector unicorn.

Mission Aagaman places payloads into orbit

Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 successfully completed its maiden mission after injecting multiple payloads into a nearly 450-km Low Earth Orbit, making India the third country with private orbital launch capability.

Launched under Mission Aagaman from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the 24-metre carbon-composite rocket completed all planned flight stages, including stage separations and the successful firing of its Orbital Adjustment Module (OAM).

Powered by three solid-fuel stages and a liquid-fuel orbital adjustment module, Vikram-1 is designed to place payloads of up to 350 kg into a 450-km Low Earth Orbit.

Among the payloads carried on the maiden flight was "Diamond Lotus", a lab-grown diamond developed by Bengaluru-based Cosmos Diamonds, along with handwritten messages from the Skyroot team, investors, policymakers and supporters, including Prime Minister Modi's "Vande Mataram" postcard.