Singapore has supported Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 mission. This will be India’s first private orbital launch, which is backed by Singapore’s GIC and Temasek. This launch is to take place on July 18 from Sriharikota.
New Delhi [भारत]July 17 (ANI): Singapore’s High Commission in India on Friday expressed its support for Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 mission. The High Commission said the launch reflects the growing partnership between Singapore and India in the space sector.
In a post on pic.twitter.com/h70XywFaYo — Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) July 17, 2026″
The post mentioned that Skyroot Aerospace, backed by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC and Temasek, is set to launch India’s first private orbital launch vehicle. “Backed by GIC and @Temasek, @SkyrootA is set to launch India’s first private orbital launch vehicle,” the High Commission said in the post.
The post comes at a time when the first test flight of India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket, Vikram-1, built by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, “Mission Arrival” is scheduled on July 18 at 11:30 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.
Features of Vikram-1
This 24-metre long rocket is the first time an Indian private company has attempted to put satellites into orbit using its own launch vehicle, independent of a government-developed rocket or launch vehicle programme.
Built entirely of lightweight carbon-composite structure, Vikram-1 is powered by three solid-fuel stages and a Liquid Orbital Adjustment Module. The mission is designed to deploy up to 350 kg of payload into a 450-km low Earth orbit (LEO) with a 60-degree inclination.
Its payload also includes a lab-grown “Diamond Lotus” developed by Bengaluru-based Cosmos Diamonds.
Rapid growth of private companies in space sector
Speaking to ANI, Rajesh Jothi, Technical Director, IN-SPACE (IN-SPACe), said that the mission reflects the rapid growth of India’s private space sector following the space sector reforms announced in 2020. “We are seeing the growth of the private sector. We started with barely five or six startup companies, and today we have over 400 startups. This is due to government space reforms in 2020, following which IN-SPACE was formed in 2022. Our Prime Minister’s vision is now being implemented, and we are seeing the outcome of the space policy,” he said.
He said that the success of Vikram-1 can significantly boost India’s commercial launch capabilities. He further said, “Skyroot is now going to launch its first launch vehicle, which will be the first of its kind. Not only in India, but also outside India, only one or two countries have such a small satellite launch vehicle. If it is successful, it will give a boost to both the small satellite market and the small launch vehicle market.”
Naga Bharat Daka, co-founder and chief operating officer of Skyroot Aerospace, said the company was founded eight years ago with the aim of creating affordable and reliable launch services from India for global satellite operators. He said, “We started Skyroot almost eight years ago with the aim of building affordable, reliable rockets from India for the world and providing affordable, reliable and on-demand launch access solutions to satellite operators around the world. All the efforts of us and the team are culminating in this historic milestone today.”
(ANI)
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