Chief Minister Revanth Reddy flags off Vikram-1 rocket for Sriharikota

Telangana has achieved another significant milestone in the space research sector. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday flagged off ‘Vikram-1’ , India’s first private orbital rocket, developed by Hyderabad-based aerospace startup Skyroot Aerospace . The event was held at the Max-Q design facility located in the GMR Aerospace Industrial Park in Mamidipalli, Hyderabad.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the design and development of Vikram-1 entirely in Hyderabad is a matter of pride not just for the state but for the entire country. He lauded Skyroot Aerospace for reaching the orbital launch stage within a short span , after its first rocket launch in 2022. He noted that Telangana already holds a leading position in the aerospace sector and has emerged as a hub for global giants such as Boeing and Airbus . The government’s vision, he said, is to transform Telangana into a global aerospace hub by 2047 .

The Chief Minister also highlighted the state’s strong performance in engineering exports , stating that Telangana recorded a 117.9% growth between 2023–24 and 2024–25 , according to Central statistics. Aircraft components and defence equipment have played a key role in this growth, he added. Emphasising skill development , he said the government is focusing on equipping youth with industry-relevant skills through institutions such as the Young India Skills University and advanced technology centres. Polytechnic colleges are also being brought under the Skills University framework, with training support from companies like Tata Technologies .

Responding positively to the Chief Minister’s proposal, Skyroot Aerospace CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana announced that the company would partner with the Skills University to address the shortage of skilled manpower. He said this collaboration builds on the agreement reached during last year’s Davos visit.

The Vikram-1 rocket is designed to be lightweight and robust , with the capability to carry multiple satellites into orbit . Having successfully completed all pre-flight tests , the rocket will be transported to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota for its upcoming launch.

State Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu , Skyroot co-founder Bharath Daka , Greenko founder Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty , and senior government officials were present at the event. The achievement marks another step forward in placing Telangana on the global aerospace map .