Diamond jewellery and 18K gold rocket art to fly aboard Vikram-1

Bengaluru: India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket, Vikram-1, will carry an unusual set of payloads when it launches later this month — including diamond jewellery and a miniature rocket cast in 18K gold.

On July 6, Skyroot Aerospace announced that Vikram-1 will be carrying six payloads on its maiden flight. Among them are a diamond jewellery creation mounted on an aluminium base plate and a microart piece shaped like a rocket, crafted in 18K gold. The launch window for Vikram-1 is between July 12 and August 4, 2026.

Vikram-1 marks a major milestone for India’s private space sector as the country’s first orbital-class rocket built by a private company.

Further details about the other four payloads are expected to be announced closer to launch.