Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace is set to mark a major milestone for India’s private space sector as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate its Infinity Campus, a state-of-the-art 2 lakh sq. ft. facility, and unveil the company’s first orbital rocket, Vikram-I, on November 27. This event underscores both Skyroot’s rapid growth and the government’s robust support for homegrown spacetech innovation.
Skyroot’s Trailblazing Journey
- Founded in 2018 by ex-ISRO engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot has emerged as a leader in India’s commercial space launch market.
- In November 2022, Skyroot made history with Vikram-S, South Asia’s first privately built rocket, which reached an apogee of 89.5 km—demonstrating core technologies for its upcoming orbital class launchers.
- The company aims to deliver on-demand, modular space launch services for the small satellite segment, competing in a global market estimated at $30 billion.
- Skyroot’s new facility is engineered to produce one orbital rocket every month, targeting quarterly launches in 2026 and full monthly cadence thereafter.
Technology Milestones
- Kalam-100 Stage Testing: Key milestones include successful hot-fire tests of the Kalam-100 solid rocket stage and validation of separation mechanisms crucial for its Vikram-launch vehicle series.
- Vikram-I Capabilities: Designed for both low-Earth and sun-synchronous orbits, Vikram-I can deploy multiple small satellites in a single mission.
Government Support for Spacetech Startups
The rapid success of Skyroot illustrates how India’s recent policy shifts have “unshackled” its space sector:
- Regulatory Reform & IN-SPACe: The creation of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center) allows for private launches from ISRO facilities and supports public-private partnerships.
- Fund of Funds for Startups: As of 2025, the central government has invested over ₹211 crore ($25M) to back space tech startups through the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) and a ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund for space innovation.
- Multiple Startup Schemes: Programs like Startup India Seed Fund, SISFS, and the Credit Guarantee Scheme aim to support fledgling space ventures across different stages of their lifecycle.
- Growing Ecosystem: There are now over 350 active space-tech startups in India working on everything from launch vehicles to private satellites and earth observation constellations.
Vision and Future Trajectory
- With the Infinity Campus and Mahindra’s flagship Make in India push, Skyroot is expected to lower the cost of small satellite launches, supporting national security, communication, and climate-monitoring needs.
- The government plans to launch the first PSLV contract built by the private sector and leverage public-private partnerships for upcoming earth observation satellites, further expanding the ecosystem.
Conclusion
Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-I unveil and Infinity Campus inauguration highlight how India is nurturing a world-class, private space launch ecosystem. With strong policy support, financial incentives, and entrepreneurial energy, India is well on its way to becoming a significant global player in the commercial spacetech arena.
