Isro to help Skyroot to build its small rocket

India's space agency will help Hyderabad-startup Skyroot Aerospace to build its solid propulsion rocket to launch satellites in lower orbit, as part of its efforts to build a private space ecosystem in the country.

Skyroot signed a non disclosure agreement with the Department of Space that will allow it to access Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) facilities and technical expertise to build its rocket.

"The NDA will enable the company to access the facilities and technical expertise available in ISRO centers to proceed with their launch vehicle development program," Isro said in a statement. The pact as signed by R Umamaheswaran, Scientific Secretary, Isro and Pawan Chandana, CEO, Skyroot Aerospace


Skyroot, founded by former Isro scientists, is the second rocket startup after Agnikul Cosmos that Isro is helping with test facilities and knowhow for their launch vehicles. has already test-fired a solid propulsion rocket engine named Kalam-5, the first private firm in India to design an engine whose bigger version will eventually power its own rockets.

A scaled-up version will be built and tested at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (Isro) facilities before powering its Vikram rocket by December 2021.

India has over 50 space startups that are building rockets, satellites and ground equipment as the country opens up the space sector to private participation.

The Department has established IN-SPACe, the authorization and regulatory body under DOS for enabling private players to undertake space activities in India.

Curefit founder Mukesh Bansal and Solar Industries, a major explosives manufacturer and a leading space and defence contractor are investors in Skyroot.