Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot Aerospace plans to launch India’s first private commercial rocket by January 2026. Founded by former ISRO engineers, the company aims to make satellite launches faster and more affordable for global clients.
From test flights to full commercial missions
After the successful Vikram-S test flight in 2022, Skyroot is now preparing for its first full-scale commercial mission carrying small satellites for paying customers. This will mark the company’s shift from testing to regular launch operations.
Building rockets for global demand
CEO Pawan Chandana said each rocket takes about eight to nine months to build and costs $2–3 million, with expected revenue roughly double that per launch. The firm plans one launch every three months initially, scaling to monthly missions by 2027.
Strong funding and expansion plans
Skyroot has raised around ₹850 crore ($95 million) from investors to ramp up rocket production and improve launch facilities. The first few missions will focus on reliability before expanding to larger commercial operations.
A new chapter for Indian space startups
Founded in 2018 by Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot focuses on small and medium-lift rockets that can deploy satellites at lower cost and faster turnaround than traditional providers.
Boosting India’s space economy
With over 200 private space startups in the country, India’s space sector is projected to reach $44 billion by 2033. Skyroot’s upcoming mission will help cement India’s place in the global commercial launch market.
