Skyroot Aerospace, India's first space tech unicorn, successfully launched its Vikram-1 rocket into Low Earth Orbit from Sriharikota. This makes India the third country with a private orbital launch capability, aiming to offer a "cab service to space" for small satellite payloads.
ISRO successfully conducted a static test of the solid motor for its new Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments (SOLVE) on July 3. SOLVE will support the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program by testing parachute systems for the Crew Module.
Pawan Kumar Chandana, once a low-scoring math student, founded Skyroot Aerospace, India's first private rocket company. After working at ISRO, he secured funding and launched India's first privately built rocket, Vikram S, in 2022. The company is now valued at $1.1 billion and aims for orbital launches.
"We wanted to get to an orbital launch vehicle in a few years."
