Andhra Pradesh: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Friday that Skyroot Aerospace has successfully completed the first static test of its powerful KALAM 1200 solid rocket motor — the first stage of the Vikram-1 launch vehicle — at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
The test was conducted at 9:05 a.m. at SDSC’s Static Test Complex, marking a major milestone in the development of Vikram-1, being built by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace Pvt. Ltd.
According to ISRO, the KALAM 1200 is an 11-metre-long, 1.7-metre-diameter monolithic composite motor loaded with 30 tonnes of solid propellant. It is the longest monolithic motor ever produced at Sriharikota’s Solid Propellant Plant. A special test stand, designed by ISRO, was used for the trial.
The achievement aligns with the Government of India’s Space Policy 2023, which promotes private sector access to ISRO’s infrastructure and expertise to boost the country’s space economy.
Calling it “a major milestone,” ISRO posted on X:
“Successful static test of KALAM 1200 solid motor, the first stage of Vikram-1 Launch Vehicle by Skyroot Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., conducted at 09:05 hrs on 08.08.2025 at SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota, ISRO. A major milestone in Vikram-1 development.”
Earlier this week, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan also praised the launch of the jointly developed NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, describing it as “one of the most precise launches ever” using an indigenously built GSLV rocket.
