As a pathbreaking launch mission for the Indian private space sector,  the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), an autonomous agency under the Department of Space (DOS), has authorized the launch of the private rocket for the first time in India. The authorization will enable the launch of Vikram-S (VKS), a sub-orbital rocket  by Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad based space start-up on Friday,  November 18, 2022. This authorization will mark the beginning of the first-ever launch of a privately designed and built rocket from India.

Skyroot will launch its maiden rocket under the launch mission, ‘PRARAMBH’, which was unveiled by ISRO Chairman, Dr. S. Somanath in Bangalore on November 7, 2022. The mission aims to launch Vikram -S , a sub-orbital rocket from India’s spaceport the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota between 11 AM-12 noon. VKS is a single-stage solid fuelled rocket,  built using advanced technologies including carbon composite structures and 3D-printed components. 

Mission Prarambh will carry three customer payloads- Space Kidz India, Bazoomq Armenia and N-Space Tech India, which are equipped with sensors for the measurement of acceleration, pressure etc.

Speaking about this historic milestone, Dr. Pawan K Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe said, “India’s space sector is going through tremendous changes thanks to the Government’s holistic policies to promote the space sector and to facilitate involvement by private players. We’re truly delighted to have authorized Skyroot’s maiden mission, which will enable India’s first-ever private launch of a launch vehicle. ”

This is the fourth authorization issued to Non-Governmental Entities (NGE) for undertaking space activities in India, by IN-Space in six months. Till date, the single window nodal agency has received more than 150 applications from Space NGEs for authorization, facilitation, and promotion.

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