India's first-ever private rocket, named Vikram-suborbital (Vikram S), was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 11:30 am IST today.
Developed by four-year-old startup Skyroot Aerospace, the launch of the rocket would mark the foray of private sector into the country's space industry. The space sector was opened to private players by the Centre in 2020.
Vikram-S soared to an altitude of 89.5 km after its launch and met all the parameters, Skyroot Aerospace said.
The mission carried three payloads built by Andhra Pradesh-based N Space Tech India, Chennai-based startup Space Kids and Armenian BazoomQ Space Research Lab, the space tech startup said in a statement. The launch vehicle has been named after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of Indian Space programme.
Skyroot Aerospace, which was founded in 2018 by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) engineers Naga Bharath Daka and Pawan Chandana, has raised INR 526 crore capital so far. The company aims to "open space for all" and is working towards a future where "space becomes part of us".
According to reports, the mission was launched from the propulsion centre where sounding rockets were used by ISRO.