Excitement is sky-high for India’s first private rocket, set to launch next week

India’s first privately-developed rocket, Vikram-S by Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot Aerospace, is all set to launch between November 12 and 16, depending on weather conditions. Preparations are in full swing for the historic moment when Vikram-S lifts off from ISRO’s launchpad in Sriharikota.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S Somanath had earlier joined the Skyroot team in unveiling the mission logo. The mission has been named ‘Prarambh’, which means ‘beginning.’

Skyroot Aerospace announced the launch of the mission on Twitter Tuesday, while thanking the chairman of ISRO for unveiling the mission patch.

Thrilled to announce #Prarambh, our maiden launch mission, also the first for the Indian private space sector, with launch window between 12-16 Nov '22. Thanks to Chairman @isro for unveiling our mission patch and @INSPACeIND for all the support.

Stay tuned#OpeningSpaceForAll pic.twitter.com/xha83Ki2k0

— Skyroot Aerospace (@SkyrootA) November 8, 2022

On social media, news of the launch of a privately-developed rocket from India led to much excitement. Many hailed it as a landmark moment for Indian space research, while others said they looked forward to the launch. Still others urged the startup to share pictures of the launch vehicles and more details on the mission.

All the best!

— Amit Paranjape (@aparanjape) November 8, 2022

Good luck @SkyrootA . This will be a revolutionary step for the future of space exploration in India. Thanks to @isro @INSPACeIND

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— Laxman Rawat (@_Laxman999) November 8, 2022

“Congratulations and all the very best for your maiden mission,” wrote one Twitter user.

Kindly Share the mission details and launch vehicle. Eager to see it.
Congratulations and all the very best for your maiden mission.

— Srini (@PBatny) November 8, 2022

“Wow, amazing. Wasn't aware of an Indian startup in the Space sector ready to launch,” another wrote.

Wow, amazing. Wasn't aware of an Indian startup in the Space sector ready to launch. All the best for the big day will watch for sure

— ಕರ್ಣ(Karna) (@ihopeiWDTT) November 8, 2022

The news invariably led to comparisons with SpaceX, the Elon Musk-owned space-tech company that has gone down in history as the first private company to successfully launch and return a spacecraft from Earth orbit.

Wisinh @SkyrootA to become desi SpaceX

— Maggi Love (@MaggiLove12) November 8, 2022

Please live stream with better quality cameras and set standard just like spacex did

— Dhanajay (@dhananjayxm) November 8, 2022

Pawan Kumar Chandana, CEO and co-founder of Skyroot Aerospace, will serve as the mission director for Parambh.

“The Vikram-S rocket getting launched is a single-stage sub-orbital launch vehicle which would carry three customer payloads and help test and validate the majority of the technologies in the Vikram series of space launch vehicles,” said Naga Bharath Daka, COO and co-founder of Skyroot Aerospace.