The rocket that lit the sky on 28 September 2026 was 100% Indian‑designed, 100% manufactured, and sourced over 90% from domestic suppliers. It carried 30,000 intricate components that survived extreme vibration, heat, and pressure, and it reached orbit within 15 minutes of launch, a feat that made India the third country in the world to achieve private launch capability.
Skyroot Aerospace, founded in 2018 by Pawan Chandana, grew from a team of a handful of engineers to more than 1,000, averaging 28 years of age. Chandana highlighted that the company had to navigate a regulatory vacuum and scarce funding when it began, and that its success is a testament to the country's emerging deep‑tech ecosystem.
Chandana said the company will now offer satellite launches to global customers at zero cost, a strategy that could attract 70% of the global market. He also warned that the industry still faces capital hurdles, but the first orbit success proves that Indian firms can compete with giants like SpaceX.
Ahead of the next launch, Skyroot plans to test a new propulsion module by December 2026 and aims to deploy a constellation of 20 small satellites for a European client by mid‑2027. The company seeks additional private investment to scale production facilities.