'Skyroot Aerospace'
There was a time when India's rocket components were carried on bicycles. But those days of scarcity are now over. Today, India's space research has advanced so much that Hyderabad-based startup 'Skyroot Aerospace' has now become a 'unicorn' company worth over $1 billion. Until now, space meant government organizations like America's NASA or India's ISRO. But Elon Musk's SpaceX has proven that private organizations can also bring revolution to space science. India's Skyroot is now following that same path.
space and rocket
What is Skyroot Aerospace?
In 2018, former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka together started Skyroot Aerospace. The goal was singular—to create low-cost private rocket technology for India. In 2022, Skyroot's 'Vikram-S' rocket was successfully launched. That was India's first private rocket launch. Since then, the organisation has caught the attention of international investors. Now, Skyroot is India's biggest name for sending small satellites to space.
Why is this 'unicorn' status so important?
Why is this 'unicorn' status so important?
In the startup world, 'unicorn' means an organization whose market value is around $1 billion or more. Although Skyroot hasn't fully reached $1 billion yet, it is rapidly moving in that direction. Experts say this is not just the success of a startup, but the beginning of a new era in India's space economy. Because until now, India's space sector was almost entirely under government control. Now doors are opening for private organizations as well.
Why is India's space market so important?
Why is India's space market so important?
Currently, the global space economy is valued at over $600 billion. It is estimated that in the next decade, it could touch $1 trillion. The use of space technology is increasing in all areas—satellite internet, defense technology, weather monitoring, GPS, drones. India can launch at relatively low cost, which is why there are big opportunities in the international market. Organizations like Skyroot are betting on exactly that space.
So where is the problem?
So where is the problem?
According to experts, India's private space race is still stuck with many obstacles. The biggest problem is policy ambiguity. Although India opened the space sector to private organizations in 2020, there is still a lack of clear and quick decisions regarding licensing, insurance, foreign investment, and technology usage. Many startups are complaining that even when using ISRO's infrastructure, they have to go through lengthy administrative processes.
Where is the difference between SpaceX and India?
Where is the difference between SpaceX and India?
In America, SpaceX received large private investments alongside government support from the beginning. NASA itself assigned responsibility for many missions to Elon Musk's organization. As a result, technology development happened quickly. But in India, ISRO is still the center of most major space projects. Private organizations are mainly working as collaborators. As a result, they are getting fewer opportunities to take big risks independently.
Not just rockets, the bigger battle is over data
Not just rockets, the bigger battle is over data
Currently, the biggest area of space business is not just rocket launches, but satellite data. How quickly a country can collect information will determine future power. Satellite data is now crucial in all areas—agriculture, warfare, weather, navigation. Organizations like Skyroot want to open the door to that vast market.
What opportunities lie ahead for India?
What opportunities lie ahead for India?
India has one of the world's largest engineering talent pools. It also has the expertise to create technology at low cost. Therefore, if the government brings policy transparency quickly, India could become one of the major global hubs for small satellite launches in the next decade. Already, many foreign organizations are showing interest in working with India.
Skyroot becoming a unicorn is therefore not just the success story of a startup. It is showing that India's space battle is no longer confined to scientists' laboratories. But without major investment, surviving in this race is difficult.
