Singapore's Envoy Cheers On Skyroot Ahead Of India's First Private Rocket Launch Ahead of Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket launch on July 18, Singapore's High Commission in India has wished the company success, calling it a sign of growing space ties between the two nations. Two days before Skyroot Aerospace attempts India's first privately built orbital rocket launch, Singapore's High Commission in India has publicly thrown its weight behind the mission, calling the moment a milestone for the space partnership between the two countries. Singapore's message on X In a post on X on Friday, the High Commission wrote, "Singapore-India ties are reaching for the stars!" The post explained that Skyroot Aerospace, which counts Singapore's sovereign wealth funds GIC and Temasek among its backers, is set to carry out India's first private orbital launch. "Backed by GIC & @Temasek, @SkyrootA is set to make India's first private orbital launch," the High Commission said, adding that it was praying for #Vikram1's success. The message tagged the Indian Space Research Organisation, IN-SPACe, Union Minister Jitendra Singh and Skyroot's founders, and carried the hashtags #MissionAagaman and #SpaceTech. The post was signed off by HC Wong. What Mission Aagaman involves The goodwill message comes just ahead of the scheduled launch of Vikram-1, India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, built by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace. The rocket's maiden test flight, named "Mission Aagaman," is scheduled to lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 18 at 11:30 AM. Standing 24 metres tall, Vikram-1 will mark the first time an Indian private company attempts to place satellites into orbit using a launch vehicle it built itself, without relying on a government-developed rocket or launch programme. The rocket is constructed entirely with a lightweight carbon-composite structure and is powered by three solid-fuel stages along with a liquid orbital adjustment module. It is designed to carry payloads weighing up to 350 kg into a 450-km Low Earth Orbit at a 60-degree inclination. Among the payloads travelling on board is a lab-grown "Diamond Lotus," developed by Bengaluru-based Cosmos Diamonds. IN-SPACe on the sector's rapid growth Speaking to ANI, IN-SPACe Technical Director Rajesh Jothi said the launch reflects how quickly India's private space sector has expanded since the space sector reforms were announced in 2020. "We are seeing the growth of the private sector. We started with hardly five or six startup companies, and today we have more than 400 startups. This has happened because of the government space reforms in 2020, after which IN-SPACe was formed in 2022. The vision of our Prime Minister is now being implemented, and we are seeing the outcome of the space policy," he said. Jothi added that a successful launch could meaningfully lift India's standing in commercial launch services. "Skyroot is now going to launch its first maiden launch vehicle, which will be the first of its kind. Not only in India, but outside India as well, only one or two countries have such a small satellite launch vehicle. If this succeeds, it is going to give a boost to both the small satellite market and the small launch vehicle market," he said. Eight years in the making for Skyroot Skyroot Aerospace Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Naga Bharath Daka said the company was set up around eight years ago with the specific goal of building affordable and reliable rockets from India for satellite operators across the world. "We started Skyroot around eight years ago with an aim to build affordable, reliable rockets from India to the world and provide affordable, reliable and on-demand launch access solutions for satellite operators around the world. All our effort and the team's effort are culminating today in this historic milestone," he said. What this means for you This isn't just a diplomatic pleasantry, it reflects real stakes for India's space economy. • Across India: A successful Vikram-1 launch would prove that a private Indian company can build and fly its own orbital rocket, a milestone that could pull more investment and jobs into the more than 400 space startups the story points to. • In Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh): The Satish Dhawan Space Centre, the launch site for Mission Aagaman on July 18, is increasingly a hub for private missions and not just ISRO's own launches. Questions & Answers 1. What did Singapore's High Commission say about Skyroot's mission? It posted on X that "Singapore-India ties are reaching for the stars!" and said it was backing Skyroot Aerospace's bid to make India's first private orbital launch, wishing #Vikram1 success. 2. When and from where will Vikram-1 launch? Vikram-1 is scheduled to lift off on July 18 at 11:30 AM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, as part of "Mission Aagaman." 3. Who built Vikram-1? It was built by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace. 4. What makes Vikram-1 significant? It's India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket and marks the first time a private Indian company attempts to place satellites into orbit using its own launch vehicle, without a government rocket programme. 5. What are Vikram-1's specifications? It stands 24 metres tall, has a carbon-composite structure, uses three solid-fuel stages plus a liquid orbital adjustment module, and can carry up to 350 kg into a 450-km Low Earth Orbit at a 60-degree inclination. 6. What payloads is Vikram-1 carrying? Among its payloads is a lab-grown "Diamond Lotus" developed by Bengaluru-based Cosmos Diamonds. 7. Which investors back Skyroot Aerospace? Singapore's sovereign wealth funds GIC and Temasek are among its backers. 8. How has India's private space sector grown? According to IN-SPACe Technical Director Rajesh Jothi, it has grown from five or six startups to more than 400 following the 2020 space sector reforms and the formation of IN-SPACe in 2022. 9. When was Skyroot Aerospace founded and who spoke for the company in this story? Skyroot Aerospace was founded around eight years ago, and its Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Naga Bharath Daka, spoke about the company's mission. 10. Why does this launch matter for the small satellite market? Rajesh Jothi said a successful launch would boost both the small satellite market and the small launch vehicle market, since only one or two countries outside India have such a small satellite launch vehicle. Inspiration & Lessons Skyroot Aerospace's road to India's first private orbital launch attempt offers a few lessons for anyone building something ambitious. • Pick one clear mission and hold onto it: Naga Bharath Daka said Skyroot was founded around eight years ago with a single, specific aim, affordable and reliable rockets from India, and the company has stuck to that goal all the way to Vikram-1's launch. • Think global from day one: Skyroot didn't set out to serve only Indian customers, it aimed to provide affordable, reliable and on-demand launch access solutions for satellite operators around the world. • Long timelines can still end in a historic milestone: Eight years of work is now culminating in Vikram-1's maiden flight, a reminder that hard technical goals often take years, not months, to reach. • Ride policy openings when they appear: IN-SPACe's Rajesh Jothi credited the 2020 government space reforms and the 2022 formation of IN-SPACe for helping the private sector grow from five or six startups to more than 400, timing that Skyroot and others were positioned to take advantage of. • Credit the whole team, not just the founders: Daka was careful to frame the milestone as the result of our effort and the team's effort, not a solo achievement. https://trendkia.com/en/asia/vikram-1-ki-urana-se-pahale-singapore-ke-uchchayoga-ne-skyroot-aerospace-ko-di-shubhakamanaen-8315 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.