IN-SPACe

Timeline

1. 21 Aug2026
   Science and tech

   IN-SPACe chief says ISRO will stop making launch vehicles; private sector to build them¹²³

   IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka said on 21 August 2026 at a Business Today summit that ISRO would eventually stop making launch vehicles, with production moving to private firms and PSUs while ISRO focuses on R&D and missions; later reports described it as a trend, not a formal policy.

   • Remark made 21 August 2026 at a Business Today summit
   • ISRO to focus on R&D, advanced technology and scientific missions
   • SSLV technology is already being transferred to HAL; PSLV and LVM3 reported as likely next
   • Nine ISRO employee associations wrote to ISRO chairman on 4 September seeking clarity
2. 7 Aug2026
   Science and tech

   Astrobase unveils India's first private 800 kN methalox engine 'Everest'⁴⁵⁶

   Bengaluru startup Astrobase unveiled 'Everest' on 7 August 2026, claimed as India's first privately built 800 kN full-flow staged combustion LOX-methane engine with 50 to 110% throttle; it has not yet been fired at full scale.

   • Unveiled 7 August 2026 by Astrobase Space Technologies (Bengaluru)
   • 800 kN thrust, specific impulse about 340 s, throttle 50% to 110%
   • Full-flow staged combustion, additively manufactured core parts
   • Full-scale hot-fire still to come; first orbital flight targeted for 2028
   • Backed by IN-SPACe Technology Adoption Fund
3. 18 Jul2026
   Science and tech

   Skyroot's Vikram-1 becomes India's first private orbital rocket to reach orbit⁷⁸⁹

   Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 reached orbit on its maiden launch from Sriharikota on 18 July 2026, making it India's first private orbital launch. It lifted off 35 minutes after the scheduled 11:30 am.

   • Vikram-1 launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on Saturday 18 July 2026 (Mission Aagaman)
   • First private orbital launch from India; Skyroot is India's first private rocket launcher
   • Lift-off at 12:05 pm, 35 minutes after the scheduled 11:30 am
   • Vikram-1 is a four-stage rocket
4. 10 Jun2026
   Science and tech

   IN-SPACe invites industry to take over ISRO's LVM3 launch vehicle production¹⁰

   IN-SPACe invited Indian companies to take on full realisation, operation and commercialisation of the LVM3 launch vehicle. ISRO plans to transfer mature launch vehicle technology to industry to focus on next-generation work. Reported around 10-11 June 2026.

   • IN-SPACe invited Indian companies to take on full realisation, operation and commercialisation of the LVM3 launch vehicle
   • ISRO plans to transfer mature launch vehicle technology to industry to focus on next-generation work
   • Reported around 10-11 June 2026

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Sources

1. Inc42
2. Onmanorama
3. OneIndia
4. ThePrint
5. Outlook Business
6. Metal AM
7. ThePrint
8. Deccan Chronicle
9. Via Satellite
10. Deccan Chronicle