Skyroot founders call PM Modi after Vikram-1 launch. Here's what he said

PM Modi, during a telephonic conversation with Skyroot Aerospace's founders, said the successful launch of Vikram-1 had vindicated the government's decision to open India's space sector to private players, while adding that he was especially heartened to see such a young team accomplish the historic feat.PM Modi said he had been closely following the mission.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Skyroot Aerospace founders Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka over the phone to congratulate them on the successful launch of Vikram-1, India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, hailing the feat as a landmark moment that would strengthen the country's space ambitions while inspiring a new generation of innovators.Speaking to the founders soon after the historic launch, the Prime Minister said, "Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, you have not only planted a new tree in space, but a new root has also been strengthened on the ground to inspire the new generation."VIDEO | Sri Harikota, Andhra Pradesh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) congratulates Skyroot Aerospace over a telephone call after India's first privately developed orbital rocket, Vikram-1, successfully reaches orbit, completing its final burn and injecting payloads pic.twitter.com/lctCsAwMtu— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2026Sharing his excitement over the milestone, PM Modi said he had been closely tracking the mission and wished he could have been present with the team during the launch."I wanted to be there with the young team. I was closely tracking the launch and congratulate your entire team on this remarkable success. It was truly heartening to see that most of your team members are just 25 to 30 years old. That made me especially happy," PM Modi said. He also recalled the initial scepticism surrounding the Centre's decision to open India's space sector to private players, saying Vikram-1's success had vindicated that policy decision.Adding a personal touch to the mission, Vikram-1 carried one of its most symbolic payloads -- a handwritten postcard by PM Modi bearing the words "Vande Mataram." The message travelled alongside dozens of handwritten postcards from Skyroot employees, investors, policymakers, scientists and well-wishers from around the world. Among the payloads on Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 is something truly special—a handwritten postcard from Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi with the words, “Vande Mataram.”It travels to space alongside handwritten messages from our team, investors, policymakers, and pic.twitter.com/sJajN6NiVJ— Skyroot Aerospace (@SkyrootA) July 17, 2026After the interaction, Prime Minister Modi took to X, writing about the moment he spoke to Skyroot founders following the successful launch. He said, "Spoke to the team of Skyroot Aerospace and congratulated them on the successful launch of Vikram-1. This is a defining moment in India’s space journey"."The growing participation of our private sector is opening new frontiers and accelerating innovation. This achievement will encourage countless youngsters to dream bigger and innovate fearlessly," he added.The spacecraft also carried handwritten messages from current and former ISRO chairmen as well as Indian astronauts, paying tribute to the decades-long journey that has shaped India's space programme.Skyroot said the collection of postcards was intended to honour the people whose contributions helped transform India into a global spacefaring nation. "Mission Aagaman is a celebration carried by many hands and shared by millions," the company said while describing the unique payload.India's private space sector scripted history today as Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, marking the country's first successful launch of a privately developed orbital-class rocket.Despite a brief delay caused by an internal hold before liftoff, the mission proceeded flawlessly, with stage separations executed precisely and satellite deployment completed as planned.Named Mission Aagaman, the flight successfully deployed its payload, with all four stages of the launch vehicle performing nominally on their very first attempt.The achievement marks a watershed moment for India's commercial space ecosystem, making the country one of a select few where a private company has independently designed, built and launched an orbital-class rocket.- EndsPublished By: Shipra ParasharPublished On: Jul 18, 2026 12:44 IST