Indian startup launches country's first privately built rocket

Vikram-S rocket, India's first private rocket developed by Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian startup, lifts off in Sriharikota, India, on Friday. (Skyroot via Reuters)

An Indian aerospace startup has launched the country's first privately made rocket – a milestone in India's effort to foster a private space industry.

The rocket, called Vikram-S, was launched to applause from onlookers Friday morning from the government-run Satish Dhawan Space Center, near the city of Chennai.