India successfully launched the Vikram-1 orbital rocket, becoming the third country with orbital launch capability through private initiatives.

India has achieved a premiere in the space sector by successfully testing the Vikram-1 orbital rocket, an important step in its ambition to become a major player in the global space economy. The 22-meter rocket was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center and placed payloads into low Earth orbit, at 450 km. Vikram-1 can carry up to 350 kg and is equipped with robotic arms to clean up space debris. Among its payloads were experimental equipment, a lab-created diamond, and an 18-carat gold sculpture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the achievement, highlighting its impact on young innovators. The test validated the rocket's propulsion and control systems, according to Skyroot Aerospace, a company founded in 2018 that has become the first in the Indian space sector with a valuation of $1 billion. Vikram-1 enhances the previous Vikram-S mission from 2022, and Skyroot plans further tests before starting regular commercial missions. This is a significant achievement for India's expanding private and public space programs.