Vikram-1 – UPSC Prelims Pointer
What is it? Vikram-1 is India’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle, developed by Skyroot Aerospace.
Significance: Marks the first successful private orbital launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, representing a major milestone in India’s private space sector.
Developer: Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based space-tech start-up founded in 2018 by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka.
Launch Vehicle: A four-stage, all-solid-fuel launch vehicle using carbon-composite structures to reduce weight and improve efficiency.
Purpose: Designed to launch small satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) through dedicated, on-demand launch services.
Payload Capacity: Can place about 300 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (approx.).
Named After: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian Space Programme.
Supporting Reforms:
- Space Sector Reforms (2020) opened the sector to private players.
- Indian Space Policy, 2023 enabled greater private participation.
- IN-SPACe acts as the regulator and facilitator for private space activities.
- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) commercialises ISRO technologies.
- FDI Policy: Up to 49% FDI under the automatic route is permitted for launch vehicle manufacturing (2024 reforms).
- Importance: Supports India’s goal of expanding its space economy to about $44 billion by 2033
UPSC Prelims Practice Question
Q. Consider the following statements regarding Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle:
- It has been developed by Skyroot Aerospace, a private Indian space start-up.
- It is designed to launch small satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) through dedicated launch missions.
- Its successful launch reflects the impact of India’s space sector reforms that enabled private participation in launch vehicle development.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Vikram-1 was developed by Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based private space company founded by former ISRO scientists.
Statement 2 is correct: It is a small satellite launch vehicle capable of placing payloads into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) through dedicated launch services.
Statement 3 is correct: The mission became possible due to Space Sector Reforms (2020), the Indian Space Policy, 2023, the establishment of IN-SPACe, and liberalisation of the space sector, which allowed private companies to build and launch orbital rockets
