Skyroot's Vikram-S, India's first private space launch vehicle, set to launch soon; Meta lays off 11,000 employees

India's first privately developed rocket (Vikram-S) is undergoing final preparations at the ISRO's launchpad in Sriharikota, ahead of a launch likely as early as this weekend. The mission named 'Prarambh' (beginning) was unveiled by ISRO Chairman, S. Somanath in Bengaluru on Nov. 7, after the technical launch clearance from the Space regulator IN-SPACe. The rocket is set to carry two payloads from India, and one from an overseas customer. And Facebook parent Meta Platforms is laying off 13 percent of its staff worldwide