# Rocket aiming to transform India's space ambitions takes off Skyroot Aerospace launches the era of private space travel. - **Source:** [BBC News](https://brifing.si/source/647b890e-c85e-45b8-9588-ccfecdec4a99) - **Published:** 2026-07-18 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/2294b7e0-ab99-4bc0-855f-ae58718af4a0 ## The era of private space travel Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched India's first private space rocket, Vikram-1. This makes India the third country, after the US and China, to send a rocket into orbit with a private company. The rocket reached low Earth orbit in 16 minutes. ## Taxi service in space Skyroot aims to offer a 'taxi service' in space. The company states that customers can rent a rocket to place their satellites in a specific orbit. This will eliminate long waiting times on large rockets. ## The legacy of Vikram Sarabhai The rocket is named after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India's space program. Capable of carrying payloads up to 350 kg, the rocket will offer dedicated missions for small satellites. ## Symbolic payloads The rocket carries a lotus made of lab-grown diamonds and micro-sculptures of India's famous scientists. These payloads are a tribute to India's space program. ## India's space goals Skyroot's success is a significant step in India's space program. The country plans to send astronauts next year, launch an orbiter to Venus by 2028, and build its own space station by 2035. ## Global economic opportunity Skyroot's services will support satellites used in agriculture, fisheries, disaster management, and communications. The company highlights a huge opportunity in the global economy. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyekv7rld3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._