India’s 2020 policy shift opened the launch market to private firms, ending decades of exclusive state control. Six years later, Skyroot Aerospace stands ready to launch its first orbital vehicle, the Vikram‑1. CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana says the rocket will lift off in the coming months, marking the commercial Indian launch from a private company.

Skyroot raised $60 million in a round, valuing the firm at $1.1 billion. The capital will fund rocket development, launch infrastructure, and market entry. Chandana, an IIT alumnus who left ISRO in 2018, cites SpaceX and Rocket Lab as inspirations, noting India’s talent pool and equatorial launch sites give it a competitive edge for future missions today.

By leveraging public launch pads and a growing talent base, Skyroot exemplifies India’s shift toward commercial spaceflight. ISRO’s policy opening has attracted investment and talent, positioning the country to compete with U.S. and Chinese firms. A successful Vikram‑1 flight will validate India’s private sector capability and boost domestic satellite deployment for future satellite services.

Skyroot’s progress signals a broader trend: India’s private space industry can now compete on a global stage. With government support and a robust engineering ecosystem, the country is poised to become a key player in low‑Earth orbit launches, reshaping access to space for commercial and scientific missions alike for the future of satellite technology development.