PM Modi's 'Vande Mataram' Message to Launch into Space on Private Rocket

A special message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be carried into space tomorrow aboard a rocket built by an Indian private company. The message, 'Vande Mataram' (a patriotic slogan), will be part of the payload on Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket. This launch marks a significant moment for India's private space sector, which has been growing since the government opened up space activities to private players. Skyroot Aerospace, based in Hyderabad, is one of several startups developing launch vehicles. The Vikram-1 is a small satellite launch vehicle designed to carry payloads of up to 300 kilograms into low Earth orbit. The mission is expected to take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. If successful, it will be the first privately built rocket in India to reach space. The inclusion of the prime minister's message highlights the government's support for private space initiatives. The exact time of launch has not been announced. Skyroot has previously conducted a successful suborbital test flight. The company aims to provide affordable launch services for small satellites. This mission underscores India's growing capabilities in space technology and the role of private industry in advancing space exploration.