India is preparing for a big step forward in its space journey as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handwritten note “Vande Mataram” is going to go into space in Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 mission.
This symbolic gesture brings national pride and technological progress together with India’s growth in the space industry and is a sign that it’s finally going to be a commercial space nation.
The Vikram-1 mission is expected to become India’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle to attempt sending satellites into orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota. Skyroot Aerospace (Hyderabad) developed the rocket and it is the first commercial launch vehicle in the rapidly growing private space industry in India.
The note was penned by Prime Minister Modi and it contained the patriotic message “Vande Mataram,” an expression that is rooted in our freedom movement and our national identity. The note is sent into space so that India's scientific goals will be realized and our cultural heritage will be celebrated.
The note has made space lovers and citizens very excited. It is indicative of the government's belief in innovation and indigenous technology and the participation of private companies in India's space programme.
Vikram-1 is named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India's space program. The launch vehicle has been designed to carry small satellites into low Earth orbit to address the increasing demand for affordable satellite launch services worldwide.
This rocket has a very high carbon composite structure and propulsion systems along with a cheap production process which makes it competitive for commercial launch services.
The mission follows years of development and testing by Skyroot Aerospace. The company earlier successfully launched the Vikram-S suborbital mission, which showed the potential of India’s private space sector to achieve the mission. Vikram-1 will now carry forward the next major step by attempting a full orbital launch.
India’s space industry has undergone a dramatic transformation after the introduction of policy reforms that made the sector open to private investments. New companies like Skyroot Aerospace, to name but two, have emerged in the space industry and in association with institutions like ISRO, and they are not only innovative; they can also create jobs and international partnerships.
A historic new frontier for India’s space journey!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 18, 2026
At 11:30 AM today, Skyroot Aerospace will undertake the maiden orbital launch of Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed launch vehicle.
This four-stage rocket is designed to provide rapid and on-demand launch services.… pic.twitter.com/1qFVTwNOuZ
Industry experts think that successful commercial launches could help place India in the position of a reliable and affordable satellite launch provider. And the mission is one that shows the way in which public-private partnerships with public investors can accelerate technological progress and boost the country’s economy.
With Vikram-1 on its way to liftoff, the handwritten “Vande Mataram” note is more than just a message. It represents India’s hopes, scientific achievements, and confidence in its future as a leading space power.
If it is successful, the launch will not only be a historic one for Skyroot Aerospace but also for India and demonstrate its commitment to international space exploration and commercial launch services.
The mission is being closely watched by scientists, policymakers, investors, and space enthusiasts on every scale of the world and will be one of the most eagerly awaited launches in India’s modern space history.
