India's private space sector reached a new milestone on Saturday when Skyroot Aerospace, the country's first space-tech unicorn, successfully launched its Vikram-1 rocket. The launch marks India's first commercial rocket designed specifically to reach orbit, highlighting the growing role of private companies in space exploration. Skyroot Aerospace, founded in 2018, has quickly emerged as a leader in India's private space industry. The Vikram-1 is a small-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying payloads of up to 300 kilograms to low Earth orbit. The rocket is named after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India's space program. The successful launch is a significant step for India's space ambitions, which have long been dominated by the government-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). In recent years, the government has opened up the sector to private players, encouraging innovation and competition. Skyroot's achievement demonstrates the potential of public-private partnerships in advancing space technology. The Vikram-1 launch took place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, a site traditionally used by ISRO. The company plans to offer commercial satellite launch services at competitive prices, aiming to capture a share of the global small satellite market. Industry experts see this as a turning point for India's space economy. With more private companies entering the field, India could become a major player in the global space industry. Skyroot's next steps involve scaling up production and preparing for regular commercial launches.