Watch: India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket successfully reaches orbit

India achieved a major breakthrough in its private space sector with the successful launch of Vikram-1, its first privately developed orbital-class rocket, on July 18, 2026. This historic event, witnessed from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, signals a new era in India's space exploration ambitions, potentially lowering costs and opening up opportunities for private companies in space missions. This development is significant as it marks the first time an Indian private entity has achieved orbital success, setting the stage for future private sector involvement in space technology and commercial space travel.