Hyderabad based Skyroot Aerospace has embarked on a revolutionary mission to make space launches as accessible as booking a taxi. Co-founded by rocket engineer Pawan Chandana and software engineer Bharath Daka, both former ISRO employees, Skyroot Aerospace aims to establish itself as India’s counterpart to SpaceX by offering cost-effective space launch solutions.
In November 2022, the firm made history when it successfully launched its 545 kg rocket, named Vikram-S, ushering India into the commercial space industry. Skyroot Aerospace’s mission, which was the first by a private business, was appropriately named Prarambh, which means “start.”
The Vikram series, which includes a variety of rocket versions, has the potential to transform the space sector.
Later this year, Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-I, which can send a 480 kg cargo to low Earth orbit, is expected to lift off. The company’s successful upper-stage engine fire test in 2020 and the subsequent test-firing of India’s first privately produced cryogenic rocket engine, Dhawan-1, named after eminent Indian rocket scientist Satish Dhawan, serve as exemplars of its creative approach.
Fast technology development and testing sets Skyroot Aerospace apart from rivals. The startup’s tight cooperation with ISRO strengthens its capabilities and highlights the mutually beneficial link between the public and private sectors.
The startup’s goals are in line with India’s rising space ambitions, which are supported by both government-backed missions and a growing private sector. While India’s space budget is still small in comparison to rivals like NASA, private firms like Skyroot Aerospace help the industry grow and innovate.
Skyroot Aerospace promises to provide an economical alternative for launching satellites into space, altering the sector and democratising access to the cosmos. The company is supported by significant finance, including assistance from Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, GIC.
The startup’s journey represents India’s rise in the international space arena and its dedication to embracing innovation and entrepreneurship in this frontier as it continues to push limits and work with both ISRO and private partners.