Micro Sculptures of Raman, Sarabhai, Kalam to Fly on Skyroot's Vikram-1 Mission

Micro-sculptures of three of India's most celebrated scientists C. V. Raman, Vikram Sarabhai, and A. P. J. Abdul Kalam are set to travel into space aboard Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket , marking a unique blend of art, science, and the country's growing private space capabilities.

Created by Telangana-based micro artist Ajay Kumar Mattewada , the sculptures will fly as part of the payload on Vikram-1 , India's first privately developed orbital-class launch vehicle. Skyroot Aerospace has announced a launch window between July 12 and August 4 for the rocket's maiden test flight.

Each sculpture measures just 800 microns (0.8 mm) in height and is intricately crafted inside the eye of a sewing needle, making it visible only under a high-powered microscope. The artist used space-compatible materials , including stainless steel, 24-karat gold, pure silver, ceramic powder, and carbon fibre particles. The project began in 2023, took nearly 140 hours to complete, and was finished in February 2026.

The sculptures were later mounted inside an 18-karat gold miniature rocket model built for spaceflight. Developed according to Skyroot's engineering specifications, the artwork successfully passed vibration, thermal, and environmental qualification tests before being integrated into the mission payload.

Calling the mission the greatest honour of his four-decade career, Mattewada said sending miniature tributes to India's scientific pioneers into space was a moment of immense pride. The initiative also reflects the expanding role of India's private space sector , with commercial missions increasingly promoting scientific outreach, innovation, and the legacy of the pioneers who shaped the nation's space programme.