India's First Private Orbital Rocket Launches

Indian space startup Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, the country's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, from Sriharikota on Saturday.

The launch vehicle placed six payloads into low-Earth orbit, marking a watershed moment for India’s burgeoning private space sector.

The mission represents the first time a company outside government control has achieved orbit from Indian soil.

Industry figures including Gautam Adani hailed the achievement as 'history made' for the nation's space ambitions.