PM Modi’s Handwritten ‘Vande Mataram’ Postcard to Fly Aboard Skyroot’s Historic Vikram-1 Mission

New Delhi, July 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handwritten postcard bearing the words “Vande Mataram” is set to journey into space aboard Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 Test Flight-1, adding a symbolic national touch to India’s first privately developed orbital rocket launch scheduled for July 18.

Hyderabad-based space startup Skyroot Aerospace announced on Friday that the Prime Minister’s handwritten message will be among a collection of special payloads travelling on the mission. The keepsakes also include handwritten notes from the company’s engineers, investors, policymakers and supporters from around the world, celebrating India’s rapidly expanding private space ecosystem.

Sharing the announcement on social media platform X, Skyroot said, “Among the payloads on Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 is something truly special — a handwritten postcard from PM Modi with the words, ‘Vande Mataram’.”

The company said the collection forms part of Mission Aagaman, an initiative that symbolises the collective aspirations and support behind India’s growing commercial space ambitions.

According to Skyroot Aerospace, the handwritten messages represent the contributions of countless individuals who have played a role in the country’s emerging private space journey. The company described the mission as “a celebration carried by many hands and shared by millions.”

The Vikram-1 mission is expected to become a landmark event for India’s private space industry. It will be the first attempt by an Indian private company to launch an orbital-class rocket from Indian soil, demonstrating the capabilities of an indigenously developed launch vehicle and marking a new chapter in the country’s commercial space programme.

On Thursday, Skyroot confirmed that the maiden test flight of Vikram-1 will take place from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota. The launch is expected to showcase advanced propulsion, guidance and launch technologies developed by the startup under India’s liberalised space policy.

Besides the commemorative keepsakes, the rocket will carry several technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed, and Skyroot’s own SCOPE platform. The mission will also transport Cosmic Bloom, a unique artwork created by Cosmos Diamonds, along with a micro-art payload, highlighting the growing convergence of science, technology and creativity in space exploration.

Skyroot Aerospace confirmed that all necessary regulatory approvals have been secured ahead of the launch. The required airspace and maritime clearances have been granted, and authorities have issued notifications identifying restricted zones along the rocket’s flight path and impact corridor to ensure a safe launch.

The Vikram-1 mission is widely regarded as a major milestone for India’s private space sector and reflects the country’s growing capabilities in indigenous space technology. With PM Modi’s handwritten “Vande Mataram” postcard travelling alongside the historic mission, the launch also carries a powerful symbol of national pride as India continues to expand its footprint in the global space industry.

Team Maverick.