Skyroot Aerospace hits $1B valuation, readies Vikram 1 Sriharikota launch
Skyroot Aerospace, India's first private space-tech unicorn started by former ISRO scientist Pawan Kumar Chandana, is about to launch its Vikram 1 rocket from Sriharikota.
In just eight years, this Hyderabad startup has hit a valuation crossing one billion dollars and now wants to make space more accessible for everyone.
Vikram 1 300kg payload, India-built parts
Vikram 1 is designed to send small satellites into orbit: think of it as "It is like Uber to go to space," carrying up to 300kg at a time.
Most of its parts are made in India, with over 400 local suppliers involved.
Co-founder Chandana says their approach hopes to put India on the map for small satellite launches.
Fun fact: Skyroot already made history in 2022 with Vikram S, India's first private suborbital rocket, in November 2022.