New Delhi : Eight years ago, Skyroot Aerospace began with just two people and a vision to transform India’s space sector. Today, that dream has reached a defining moment as India’s first privately developed orbital rocket stands ready for launch.
Sharing the journey behind this historic achievement, Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, said the company started at a time when India had no dedicated policy framework for private spaceflight and limited funding opportunities for space startups.
He recalled that building an orbital-class rocket was among the world’s most challenging engineering missions, with the chances of success appearing extremely difficult. However, determination, innovation, and collective effort helped turn that ambitious vision into reality.
Chandana said this milestone belongs to every member of the Skyroot team, investors, the Government of India, the Prime Minister’s Office, ISRO, IN-SPACe, partners, suppliers, customers, and everyone who supported the company’s journey from the beginning.
“We have done everything we possibly could. Now we let physics do its job,” he said, expressing confidence ahead of the launch.
He added that every second of the rocket’s flight would provide valuable learning and contribute to the advancement of India’s space capabilities. According to him, reaching the launch pad and attempting an orbital launch is itself a landmark achievement—one that only a few private companies globally have accomplished.
The success of Skyroot’s mission is expected to strengthen not only India’s commercial space ecosystem but also contribute to the growth of the global private space industry. “Tomorrow, we take the next step,” Chandana said, as India prepares to witness a new chapter in its space journey.
Skyroot Aerospace Co-founder and CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana marked a significant milestone in his space-tech journey, completing 12 years in the industry, reflecting on a remarkable path from an ISRO engineer to leading one of India’s pioneering private space startups.
On June 16, Chandana recalled beginning his career in the space sector after joining ISRO in 2012, immediately after completing college. He said the experience gave him the opportunity to contribute to India’s largest launch vehicle programme, learn from some of the country’s brightest scientific minds, and witness the rapid transformation of the global space-tech ecosystem.
In 2018, Chandana, along with Bharath Daka, co-founded Skyroot Aerospace with the vision of “Opening Space for All.” He highlighted that at the time, India did not have a dedicated private space policy or a mature funding ecosystem for space startups. Despite these challenges, the founders believed in the immense potential of the space economy and India’s ability to emerge as a major global player.
The company went on to achieve a historic breakthrough in 2022 by launching India’s first privately developed rocket, marking a new era for private participation in the country’s space sector. Now, Skyroot is preparing for the first orbital launch of its Vikram-1 rocket, another landmark step in India’s commercial space journey.
Chandana said the mission continues to inspire him every day and motivates him to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation. He expressed gratitude to his co-founder Bharath Daka, ISRO, IN-SPACe, investors, the Skyroot team, and supporters who have been part of the journey.
The story of Skyroot reflects India’s growing space ambitions, where government expertise, private innovation, and young entrepreneurial talent are coming together to shape the future of space exploration.