Skyroot Aerospace: Pioneering the Indian Space Odyssey – From Ideation to Orbit Dominance
Dive into the stellar journey of Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian space-tech startup challenging boundaries. Explore the evolution from a visionary idea to orbit-conquering success. Uncover Skyroot's business strategy, founder profiles, triumphant milestones, innovative business and revenue models, strategic growth, funding triumphs, investor backing, challenges faced, and ambitious future plans reshaping the landscape of space exploration.
Skyroot Aerospace, India’s first private space-tech company to successfully launch a rocket, has become a beacon of innovation in the country’s burgeoning space economy. From its humble beginnings to testing advanced rocket stages, Skyroot has redefined India’s role in global commercial space launch services. With the Vikram series of rockets, bold funding moves, and a resilient business strategy, the company is gearing up to revolutionize space accessibility.
Founders
Skyroot was founded in 2018 by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka. Their ISRO experience laid the foundation for a technically sound and agile organization. Their leadership blends engineering brilliance with entrepreneurial vision (Forbes India).
Success Story
Skyroot made history on November 18, 2022, by launching Vikram-S, the first privately built rocket from India, from Sriharikota (CNN). This marked a turning point for India’s private aerospace industry. In 2024 and 2025, the company successfully tested multiple stages of its upcoming Vikram-1 rocket (TOI), positioning itself for an orbital launch.
Business Model
Skyroot provides space launch services for small satellites, with a business model centered on:
- Low-cost, modular rockets (Vikram I/II/III)
- Customization for commercial and academic payloads
- Quick payload integration and faster time-to-launch
- International launch services
Revenue Model
Skyroot earns revenue through:
- Dedicated launch contracts
- Payload ride-share and mission customization
- Collaborations and licensing
- Government and commercial payloads
Marketing Strategy
Skyroot's strategy involves:
- Strategic media partnerships (TOI), (CNN)
- Tech branding through investor associations (YourStory), (Moneycontrol)
- Participation in startup forums and space policy events (Livemint)
Growth
- 2x revenue growth in FY24 (YourStory)
- State-of-the-art testing and propulsion facilities in Hyderabad
- Recognized among top startups from Telangana
- Key propulsion tests in 2024 and 2025 (Financial Express)
Funding and Investors
Skyroot has raised over $95 million, including a $27.5 million round in 2023 led by Temasek Holdings. Key investors include:
- Temasek
- WorldQuant Ventures
- Mukesh Bansal (Cure.fit)
- Greenko founders
This makes Skyroot the highest-funded Indian spacetech startup as of 2024.
Challenges
- Regulatory dependency on ISRO and IN-SPACe
- Global competition from SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and Firefly
- Need for recurring launch success and scaling manufacturing
- Capital-intensive R&D
Future Plans
- Vikram-1 orbital launch in 2025
- Expansion of satellite launch services to international clients
- Development of reusable rocket stages
- Collaborations with defense and telecom sectors
- Leveraging new space policy reforms
Skyroot Aerospace is blazing a trail in the global space economy with innovative technology, visionary founders, and strategic investments. Their focus on agility, affordability, and ambition positions them as a serious player among global launch service providers—and a symbol of India’s new space age.