'Symbol of new India': Vikram-S, India's first private rocket, lifts off from Sriharikota

In a landmark development, Vikram -S, India's first privately developed rocket successfully lifted off from Sriharikota on Saturday. This marks the entry of the private sector into the space industry in India.

Developed by Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot Aerospace, the rocket carried three customer payloads. Of the three, two payloads are for domestic clients, and one foreign. The domestic clients are SpaceKidz India and N-Space Tech India while the third, BazoomQ Space Research Lab, is based in Armenia.

Named Praramb, the mission was supported by the national space agency ISRO. "Mission Prarambh is successfully accomplished. Congratulations" ISRO announced on Twitter.

"We made history today by launching India's first private rocket. It is a symbol of new India, and just the Prarambh of a great future." Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-Founder Skyroot Aerospace, said.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who was at Sriharikota to witness the launch, said this is a turning point for Indian startups.

The launch of the rocket is expected to demonstrate flight proving of avionics systems in Vikram series like telemetry, tracking, inertial measurement, Global Positioning System, on-board camera, data acquisition and power systems. Vikram S is also one of the world's first few all-composite rockets that has 3-D printed solid thrusters for spin stability of the launch vehicle, Skyroot spokesperson said recently.

The launch vehicle is also equipped with telemetry, tracking, GPS, on-board camera, data acquisition and power systems.