Ex-ISRO Startup Eyes Historic Rocket Launch in India

India’s rapidly growing private space industry is preparing for a major milestone as Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace gears up for the maiden orbital launch of its Vikram-1 rocket from Sriharikota in the coming weeks.



Founded by former Indian Space Research Organisation scientist Pawan Kumar Chandana and co-founder Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot Aerospace has become India’s first private space-tech unicorn. According to reports by NDTV, the company is now valued at nearly ₹1,500 crore, marking a remarkable rise just eight years after Chandana left his government role at ISRO, where he earned a monthly salary of ₹75,000.

Speaking about the company’s long-term vision, Chandana said Skyroot aims to “open space for all,” imagining a future where access to space could become as simple as booking a cab. A mechanical engineering graduate from IIT Kharagpur, Chandana said his fascination with rockets began early and eventually led him to work on ISRO’s heavy-lift Launch Vehicle Mark-3, often referred to as the “Bahubali” rocket.

Skyroot had already made history in 2022 by launching Vikram-S, India’s first private suborbital rocket. The upcoming Vikram-1 mission represents the company’s next major leap into commercial orbital launches. The rocket is currently designed to carry payloads of around 300 kilograms into orbit, with future upgrades expected to increase that capacity significantly.

What sets Skyroot apart is its business model. Chandana compared the company’s launch services to an “Uber for space,” offering dedicated launch schedules and customized orbital services rather than requiring smaller satellites to wait for shared rides on larger rockets.

The startup has reportedly secured nearly $160 million in funding and employs over 1,000 people, with a median employee age of just 28. Chandana credited India’s decades-long investment in space infrastructure for enabling startups like Skyroot to emerge, noting that more than 90 per cent of the company’s rocket components are sourced domestically through hundreds of Indian suppliers.

Looking ahead, Skyroot plans to develop reusable rockets and eventually explore human spaceflight. Chandana admitted rocket development proved far more difficult than expected but remains optimistic about India’s growing role in the global private space economy.

If Vikram-1 succeeds, it could mark a defining moment for India’s private space ambitions and open a new chapter in commercial space exploration.

FAQs

What is Skyroot Aerospace?
Skyroot Aerospace is India’s first private space-tech unicorn focused on satellite launch services and rocket development.

Who founded Skyroot Aerospace?
The company was founded by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka.

What is Vikram-1?
Vikram-1 is Skyroot’s upcoming orbital launch vehicle designed for small satellite missions.

Why is the Vikram-1 launch significant?
It could become one of India’s first major private-sector orbital rocket launches, marking a milestone for the country’s private space industry.

What is Skyroot’s future vision?
The company aims to develop reusable rockets, expand commercial launch services and eventually support human spaceflight missions.

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