Skyroot’s Vikram-1 became the first privately built Indian rocket to reach orbit and deploy satellites, placing India among a select group with private launch capability
Vikram-1 targets the growing market for small satellite launches, offering faster, more efficient access to low-Earth orbit than heavy-lift rockets
Space reforms have fuelled a wave of Indian aerospace startups. Skyroot’s success shows private innovation can complement India's ambitions in the global space economy
Many space startups are founded by former Isro scientists
Their expertise has accelerated innovation but also raised concerns over talent moving away from the national space agency
Private firms need Isro’s infrastructure and expertise, while Isro needs a strong innovation ecosystem. The challenge is ensuring both grow without weakening the other
India can draw lessons from NASA’s partnership model, where public research and private enterprise work together to build a globally competitive space ecosystem