NEW DELHI, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched on Friday the first privately built rocket.

Indian Indian Department of Space said in a statement that ISRO made history today by successfully launching India?’s maiden private Vikram-suborbital rocket.

Indian Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of State Atomic Energy and Space Jitendra Singh, who personally witnessed the launch, described it as a new beginning in India?’s Space journey.

“Congratulations India! A new beginning in India’s Space journey! Thanks so very much PM Narendra Modi for making this effort possible by opening the space sector to public-private-participation. A turning point for India’s Start-Up movement,” the minister said.

The Vikram-suborbital rocket weighing 456kg, developed by a private Indian company named Skyroot Aerospace was launched from Sriharikota in South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh today.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the ISRO scientists for the successful launch of India’s maiden private rocket Vikram-Suborbital. “A historic moment for India as the rocket Vikram-S, developed by Skyroot Aerospace, took off from Sriharikota today,” he said.

It is an important milestone in the journey of India?’s private space industry. This accomplishment bears testimony to the immense talent of our youth, who took full advantage of the landmark space sector reforms of June 2020,” Modi added.

The development is considered remarkable as it is the first rocket developed by an Indian private company and it marks opening the door for private involvement in space sector which was so far the monopoly of the state-owned ISRO.

Source: Kuwait News Agency