IIT Grad Who Left ISRO Co-Founds Skyroot, Puts Vikram-1 Rocket Into Orbit

Pawan Kumar Chandana, an IIT graduate and former ISRO scientist, co-founded Skyroot Aerospace after leaving the national space agency. The company successfully launched its Vikram-1 rocket into orbit, marking a landmark achievement for India's private space sector. The mission demonstrated that Indian private firms are capable of independently developing world-class launch vehicles. Skyroot has since grown to a workforce of over a thousand employees and secured significant investor backing. The achievement positions India as a rising player in the global commercial space industry.