Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace has hit a major milestone in India’s private space journey by successfully testing the Kalam-1200 — the largest solid rocket stage ever built by an Indian private company. The static firing took place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota under ISRO’s supervision, lasting 110 seconds and validating critical systems including thrust output, burn rate, thermal protection, and stage steering.
Kalam-1200: Power & Scale
The Kalam-1200 is an 11-metre-long, 1.7-metre-wide carbon composite booster, loaded with around 30 tonnes of solid propellant. It produces nearly 1,200 kN of thrust in a vacuum — comparable to ten Boeing 737 Max engines combined — making it a powerhouse for small and medium orbital launches. Its composite body makes it lighter yet strong enough to handle extreme launch stresses, improving payload capacity and cost efficiency.
What the founder said:
Former ISRO Chairman Joins the Skyroot Mission
Recently, former ISRO chairman S. Somnath has officially joined Skyroot as a mentor and strategic advisor, bringing decades of experience in rocket propulsion, mission planning, and large-scale space operations. His presence not only strengthens Skyroot’s technical depth but also signals ISRO’s growing confidence in the private sector’s role in India’s space ambitions.
Powered by Policy & Partnership
This milestone reflects the India Space Policy 2023 in action — actively enabling private firms to use ISRO’s infrastructure and expertise. ISRO provided Skyroot with the test stand, propellant casting facilities, and on-site engineering collaboration to ensure mission success. The agency publicly acknowledged the test as a “historic moment” for India’s space ecosystem.
Path to Vikram-1 Launch
The Kalam-1200 will serve as a key stage for Vikram-1. Skyroot’s upcoming orbital launch vehicle and India’s first privately built rocket capable of deploying satellites into Low Earth Orbit. Skyroot says the successful test keeps them on track for a commercial launch later this year, offering on-demand and customizable rideshare missions for domestic and global small sat operators.
Private Space Race in India Heating Up
With players like Agnikul Cosmos, Bellatrix Aerospace, and Pixxel also making strides, India’s private space sector is entering a high-growth phase. Skyroot’s achievement, however, positions it as a frontrunner in scale, speed, and execution, opening doors to compete with international small-launch companies like Rocket Lab and Firefly Aerospace.
Why It Matters
Beyond the immediate success, the Kalam-1200 test proves that India’s private sector can design, build, and qualify advanced space hardware in partnership with ISRO, achieving quality standards that meet — and potentially rival — global benchmarks. It’s a strong sign that India’s next phase in space isn’t going to be government-only but a true public–private push toward global competitiveness.
