Skyroot Aerospace to Enter Orbit with First Commercial Launch by Jan 2026

Vasundhra Tewari

India is set to experience its maiden private commercial rocket launch by January next year, marking a major turning point for India’s space industry. Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based space startup founded by two former ISRO scientists, is set to launch its first full-scale commercial satellite mission by January 2026.

A Major Leap for India’s Space Ecosystem

So far, only the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has handled rocket launches to place satellites in orbit. But the entry of private players in this space signals a big step forward for India’s expanding space industry.

With private players stepping into rocket development and launches, India’s space industry is witnessing greater teamwork, funding, and global participation. This change not only lightens ISRO’s responsibilities but also helps India emerge as a key player in the global space market, encouraging innovation, skilled talent, and new business opportunities in the sector.

Aims to Conduct Launches Every 3 Months

Skyroot Aerospace was founded in the year 2018 by two ISRO veteran scientists, Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, with a clear mission to make space more accessible, especially for small satellites. With this mission, they are planning to conduct one launch every three months in the coming year, and by the year 2027, they envision conducting launches every month.

“Making a single rocket takes about eight to nine months and costs $2–3 million. Our revenue expectation per launch is about double that,” says Skyroot CEO Pawan Chandana.

The company expects to generate around $5 million per launch starting with its first mission, which will carry both domestic and international payloads.

India’s Most-funded Space Startup

Talking about the investment, Skyroot’s success goes beyond technology; it is catching the interest of big investors now. In October 2023, the company raised $27.5 million from Singapore’s Temasek, taking its total funding to $95 million (Rs 850 crore) so far, making it the most funded space-tech startup in India.

Skyroot’s growth is likely to make satellite launches more affordable for Indian businesses, signaling the start of a new phase in the country’s commercial space efforts.