The Visionaries Behind India’s Private Space Leap
In June 2018, Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, both former ISRO engineers, co-founded Skyroot Aerospace in Hyderabad. With expertise honed at ISRO’s VSSC and a shared belief in democratizing space access, they transformed a small ten-person team in a Kondapur garage into India’s most ambitious private space launch startup.
Bound by a vision to make space affordable, their mission was born from frustration—why rely solely on public institutions when agile private players could launch small satellites faster and cheaper?
Early Years: Engine Tests, Incubators & Alliances
From its inception, Skyroot was driven by engineering excellence:
- August 2020: It became the first Indian private company to test a cryogenic upper-stage engine, “Raman-1”.
- Throughout 2020–21: Built several solid rocket “Kalam” engines (Kalam-5, Kalam-80) and logged successful tests under ISRO’s guidance.
- The startup was incubated at T-Hub, Hyderabad, and partnered with Solar Industries, earning ISRO access for its propulsion experiments.
Those early milestones earned it national recognition, including the National Startup Award and a nod on Forbes India’s Emerging Innovators list.
Milestone Achievement: Launching Vikram-S in 2022
On 18 November 2022, Skyroot etched its name into aerospace history. Its Vikram-S suborbital sounding rocket launched successfully from Sriharikota, reaching an altitude of 89.5 km. It became the first privately built rocket in India to breach the Kármán line . This feat validated its propulsion stack and design ingenuity.
From Sub-Orbital to Orbital: Engineering Vikram-1
With Vikram-S complete, Skyroot began focusing on Vikram-1, a three-stage launch vehicle designed to carry small satellites to low Earth orbit (approx. 480 kg payload). Key tests in 2023–25 included:
- Kalam-1200 Stage-1 motor fabrication & static firing
- Kalam-250 Stage-2 static test fired in March 2024
- Kalam-100 Stage-3 vacuum firing in April 2025
- Payload fairing separation test in June 2025, clearing a crucial flight hurdle
- Retro motor and stage separation systems tested successfully in May 2025
These validations bring Vikram-1 closer to its expected lift-off later this year
Fueling Growth: Funding & Partnerships
In October 2023, Skyroot raised $27.5 million in a pre-Series C round led by Temasek, bringing total funding to around $95 million
Skyroot’s tech prowess and rapid progress have earned it:
- A ₹500 crore facility agreement with Telangana government to develop a private rocket production hub
- Strategic partnerships with ISRO and international entities for satellite launches
The Skyroot Blueprint: Lessons for Founders
- Engineering Roots Matter – Built by former ISRO engineers, their technical foresight defines every milestone.
- Incremental Validation – From engines to stages to fairings, every component is rigorously tested before scale.
- Public-Private Collaboration – Skyroot leveraged government infrastructure while retaining agility.
- Mission-Focused Funding – Capital is aligned with specific milestones, not burn.
- Team with Top Talent – Hiring rocket scientists, propulsion experts, and aerospace leaders (like Padma Shri awardee Gandhi) ensured domain excellence
What Comes Next?
With firing tests complete and fairing and separation systems qualified, Vikram-1 is poised for its first orbital launch by late 2025. Success would mark India’s entry into a private orbital launch capability—complementing ISRO and putting Skyroot on the global map.
Final Word
Skyroot Aerospace is redefining what Indian startups can achieve—pioneering orbital missions, building space infrastructure, and inspiring a new generation of ambition.
Driven by discipline, precision, and a bold vision, Skyroot shows that India’s private sector isn’t just entering space—it’s setting the trajectory for the future.
