3 weeks ago
Skyroot's Vikram-1 Orbital Success Secures Fresh Multi-Launch Deal with HEX20
An Indian company called Skyroot Aerospace built a big rocket named Vikram-1.
On its very first try, the rocket flew all the way into orbit around Earth.
That is very hard to do, and Vikram-1 is the first private Indian rocket to do it.
The rocket carried a small satellite called SCOPE, which was testing new space technology.
The satellite came out of the rocket into space as planned.
But SCOPE could not send back all the information about how its parts were working.
So the engineers could not check everything they wanted to test.
Still, the rocket itself worked perfectly, and that is the most important thing.
Because the rocket did so well, another space company called HEX20 wants to use it three times, starting in late 2027.
This means India's private space industry is growing.
Vikram-1 became India's first privately developed orbital launch vehicle to reach orbit on its maiden flight on July 18, 2026.
Skyroot Aerospace signed a multi-launch agreement with space technology firm HEX20 for three dedicated launches beginning in late 2027.
The three dedicated launches will support Earth observation and in-orbit demonstration missions.
SCOPE, Skyroot's in-house 3.415 kg 3U CubeSat, was deployed into orbit but failed to return usable housekeeping telemetry.
SCOPE's imaging payload and attitude determination and control system could not be verified; Skyroot is targeting up to 12 launches per year.
Skyroot says the mission validated its satellite deployer, radio frequency communication link, mission sequencing, electrical power system, and other elements.
- Who
- Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based Indian private space company, and HEX20, a space technology firm led by CEO Amal Chandran in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- What
- Vikram-1 reached orbit on its maiden flight, becoming India's first privately developed orbital launch vehicle to do so, and Skyroot secured a three-launch commercial agreement with HEX20.
- Where
- India - Skyroot Aerospace is based in Hyderabad, and HEX20 is based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- When
- Vikram-1 launched on July 18, 2026; the HEX20 dedicated launches begin in late 2027.
- Why
- The successful maiden orbital flight proved Skyroot's launch capability and vehicle maturity, building customer confidence that translated into new commercial business.
Key facts
- Company
- Skyroot Aerospace (Hyderabad, India)
- Launch vehicle
- Vikram-1
- Launch date
- July 18, 2026
- Milestone
- India's first privately developed rocket to reach orbit on maiden flight
- Commercial deal
- Multi-launch agreement with HEX20 for three dedicated launches from late 2027
- SCOPE satellite
- 3.415 kg 3U CubeSat built in-house by Skyroot
- Target launch cadence
- Up to 12 missions per year
- HEX20 CEO
- Amal Chandran
Quotes
Amal Chandran
CEO of HEX20 Space, a private Indian space technology firm
“"India's private space ecosystem is reaching a stage where collaboration across the mission lifecycle will define the next phase of growth. Our partnership with Skyroot brings complementary capabilities together, allowing us to create stronger pathways to orbit and enable more ambitious missions for customers in India and around the world."”
NDTV









