Skyroot's Vikram-1 to Carry Micro-Sculptures of Indian Icons into Space

Skyroot Aerospace's maiden orbital launch vehicle, Vikram-1, is set to carry three microscopic sculptures of some of India's most celebrated scientists into space when it lifts off from Sriharikota on Saturday. Alongside satellites and technology demonstration payloads, the rocket will transport miniature sculptures of Nobel laureate Dr C. V. Raman, Indian space programme pioneer Dr Vikram Sarabhai and former President Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. If the mission is successful, Vikram-1 will become the first Indian rocket to carry micro art into space, marking a unique convergence of science, engineering and artistic expression.

The sculptures were created by internationally acclaimed micro artist Ajay Kumar Mattewada from Warangal, Telangana. Each artwork measures just 800 microns, or 0.8 millimetres, making them smaller than a grain of rice and invisible to the naked eye. According to the artist, the sculptures are so tiny that they can fit inside the eye of a sewing needle. The tribute honours three generations of Indian scientific leadership—Raman for his Nobel Prize-winning work in physics, Sarabhai for laying the foundations of India's space programme and Kalam for his contributions to the country's missile and aerospace development before serving as President of India.

Ajay Kumar Mattewada, the son of a goldsmith, began learning jewellery-making and miniature craftsmanship at the age of 14 before dedicating decades to mastering the highly specialised field of micro sculpture. His work requires extraordinary precision, often demanding complete stillness and controlled breathing to avoid damaging months of painstaking effort. According to the artist, each sculpture can take between one and five months to complete, with the current project beginning in 2023 and concluding in February 2026 after nearly 140 hours of intricate craftsmanship.

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The sculptures were created using stainless steel, pure silver, 24-carat gold, ceramic powder and carbon fibre particles before being mounted inside a miniature rocket made from 18-carat gold. The artwork was engineered to meet the stringent technical standards required for spaceflight and underwent vibration, thermal and environmental qualification tests specified by Skyroot Aerospace. After successfully clearing these evaluations, the miniature assembly was integrated into a specially designed protective payload housing that will fly aboard the Vikram-1 mission.

Speaking about the project, Mattewada described the mission as the greatest recognition of his four-decade artistic journey. He said he considered it the highest honour bestowed upon his work and expressed immense pride that sculptures of Raman, Sarabhai and Kalam would travel together into space. According to the artist, the project serves as a tribute to three visionary scientists whose contributions played a defining role in shaping modern India's scientific and technological progress.

Vikram-1 itself represents a landmark achievement for India's private space industry. Developed by Skyroot Aerospace, the approximately 30-metre-tall launch vehicle is the country's first privately developed orbital rocket designed to deploy satellites into space. Equipped with three solid propulsion stages, a liquid-fuel upper stage, carbon composite structures, miniaturised avionics, a 3D-printed engine and an orbital adjustment module capable of multiple restarts, the rocket aims to serve the rapidly expanding small satellite market. Beyond demonstrating new launch capabilities, the mission will also carry a symbolic tribute to India's scientific legacy, showcasing how art and innovation can together become part of the nation's journey into space.

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