SOURCE: AFI
Indian space is about to get busier, with private players taking center stage. A new manifesto by the Indian space regulator IN-SPACe reveals that Hyderabad’s Skyroot Aerospace and Chennai’s Agnikul Cosmos are gearing up for seven launches between 2024 and early 2025. This exciting news marks a significant step forward for India’s private space sector.
Skyroot, already the first private company to launch a rocket from India with their Vikram-S suborbital mission in 2022, is now eyeing commercial missions. Their Vikram-1 orbital launch vehicle is slated for liftoff in Q1 of 2024-25, marking a major milestone for the company.
Agnikul Cosmos, on the other hand, is preparing their Agnibaan-SOrTeD suborbital launch vehicle for a Q4 2023-24 launch. This mission will serve as a crucial technology demonstrator before their first commercial launch with Agnibaan in Q3 of 2024-25.
These upcoming launches by Skyroot and Agnikul Cosmos represent a new era for Indian space exploration. Not only do they signify the growing capabilities of private players, but they also open doors for wider participation in the space industry.
Here are some key takeaways:
- Seven launches planned by Skyroot and Agnikul Cosmos between 2024 and early 2025.
- Skyroot’s Vikram-1 marks their first commercial mission in Q1 2024-25.
- Agnikul Cosmos’ Agnibaan-SOrTeD launch in Q4 2023-24 is a pre-cursor to their first commercial launch with Agnibaan in Q3 2024-25.
- These launches signal growing capabilities and wider participation in the Indian space sector.