Skyroot Aerospace, India's first space tech unicorn, is set to make history with its upcoming orbital launch of the Vikram 1 rocket. This ambitious startup, founded by ex-ISRO scientist Pawan Kumar Chandana, aims to democratize access to space, making it as accessible as booking a cab. With a valuation of Rs 1,500 crore and a vision to open space for all, Skyroot is poised to become a key player in India's private space revolution.
Chandana's journey began at the Nehru Planetarium, where he was inspired by the idea of rockets as the most challenging human-made machines. This passion led him to ISRO, where he worked on India's heaviest rocket, the 'Bahubali' or the Launch Vehicle Mark-3. After leaving his secure government job, he co-founded Skyroot with Naga Bharath Daka, blending his love for entrepreneurship and rocket science.
Skyroot's first achievement was launching Vikram S, India's first private suborbital rocket, in November 2022. With a funding of around 160 million dollars and a valuation crossing one billion dollars, the company has emerged as India's first private space tech unicorn. However, Chandana remains grounded, emphasizing that commercial launches will truly define their success.
The upcoming Vikram 1 rocket is designed as an orbital-class launch vehicle, capable of carrying about 300 kilograms of payload in its current version. Skyroot's unique selling point is its business model, which provides dedicated access to space, much like hiring a private jet. This model is well-aligned with global trends, as smaller satellites are replacing larger ones, creating a demand for quick, customized launches.
The global space launch market, currently worth tens of billions of dollars, is expected to expand sharply in the coming years. With data centers set to be in space and communication applications increasing demand, the need for launches keeps growing. Skyroot's reliance on India's space ecosystem, with over 90% of its rocket components sourced domestically, is a key strength. India's geographic advantage, with launch sites close to the Equator, also plays a critical role.
Building rockets is far harder than most people imagine, as Chandana admits. Skyroot has a team of over a thousand young engineers, with a median age of 28, working on cutting-edge technologies. Managing people is as complex as engineering rockets, according to Chandana, who believes in the importance of 'people engineering'.
Looking ahead, Skyroot has a long-term roadmap that includes bigger rockets and reusable systems. Reusability is a key trend in global spaceflight, and Skyroot is committed to developing a modern architecture for it. Human spaceflight is also part of the vision, though not an immediate priority. Chandana aspires to personally experience space, watching Earth from space and going for a holiday.
As Skyroot prepares for the Vikram 1 launch, the stakes are high. Success will cement its position as India's leading private space company and signal the arrival of a new era where private players play a central role in space exploration. Chandana's goal remains clear: to open space for all, making satellite launches as routine as hailing a cab ride on Earth.
