Skyroot Aerospace Set to Launch India’s First Private Commercial Rocket

India’s space sector is entering a new era. Once dominated solely by ISRO, it is now opening to private players — led by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, which is preparing to launch India’s first private commercial rocket by January.

Founded in 2018 by former ISRO scientists Pawan Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot has raised $95.5 million (₹850 crore) from investors including Singapore’s Temasek and GIC. The company plans quarterly launches in 2025 and aims for monthly missions by 2027, with each expected to generate around $5 million in revenue.

“Our first launch will carry multiple paying satellites. Building one rocket takes about eight to nine months and costs $2–3 million, but as we scale, both cost and time will drop,” said Chandana.

Skyroot’s mission marks a major step for India’s private space industry, offering government and commercial clients a faster, cheaper alternative to foreign launch services. Unlike SpaceX, which faces a long backlog, Skyroot promises quicker turnaround and flexible scheduling.

After its successful suborbital test in 2022, Skyroot refined its technology for full orbital missions. Chandana admits that engineering delays pushed profitability targets to 2028 but insists that precision and safety remain top priorities.

India now has over 200 space startups, with the government projecting the sector to grow from $8 billion to $44 billion by 2033. Experts describe Skyroot as India’s SpaceX equivalent, poised to lead the country’s private space race.

“For now, we’re focused on flawless execution,” Chandana said. “Once we begin regular launches, profitability will follow.”

Skyroot’s upcoming mission could redefine India’s role in global space exploration — signaling the rise of a competitive, innovation-driven private space industry.