By Startup Story Team
Hyderabad, June 26, 2025 – In a significant development for India’s private space sector, Dr. Sreedhara Panicker Somanath, former Chairman of ISRO, has joined Skyroot Aerospace as their honorary Chief Technical Advisor. The announcement, made on June 26, highlights Skyroot’s strategic push to strengthen its technical foundation ahead of its ambitious orbital launch goals .
Why This Matters:
Skyroot Aerospace, headquartered in Hyderabad, is gearing up for the maiden launch of Vikram‑1, India’s first carbon-composite, privately developed orbital rocket. Standing at 23 meters tall, the Vikram‑1 will be powered by a liquid‑engine Orbital Adjustment Module – designed for precise satellite deployment in low Earth orbit
Somanath, a seasoned launch‑vehicle expert, is best known for leading ISRO through landmark missions such as Chandrayaan‑3, Aditya‑L1, and the development of the SSLV and Reusable Launch Vehicle experiments during his tenure from January 2022 to January 2025
What Somanath Brings to Skyroot:
- Unmatched Technical Expertise: His deep knowledge in launcher systems, mission management, and propulsion will be invaluable in guiding Skyroot’s engineering roadmap.
- Credibility Boost: His association lends significant legitimacy to Skyroot’s upcoming orbital ambitions.
- Mentorship for the Team: With decades of leading complex space missions, Somanath will mentor Skyroot’s engineers and researchers.
Skyroot’s Vision & International Collaboration:
Skyroot is riding on the momentum from its successful Vikram‑S suborbital launch in November 2022—the first privately built rocket in India to reach space.
In parallel, the company has signed an MoU with Houston‑based Axiom Space, aiming to explore collaborations in LEO missions, including research payloads and “orbital data‑centre” nodes aboard Axiom Station
As Skyroot co‑founder Pawan Kumar Chandana puts it:
“Launching satellites to orbit … requires the coming together of the very best minds, especially as we attempt it for the very first time as a private space startup from India.”
What’s Next:
- Vikram‑1’s orbital debut is expected as early as mid‑2025 – Skyroot’s testing and preparation are in full swing.
- Somanath’s role is advisory and honorary; non-exclusive to Skyroot. Still, his guidance is seen as pivotal for engineering excellence and mission success.
- Potential joint missions with Axiom in LEO hint at global ambitions beyond satellite launches-perhaps even supporting infrastructure aboard orbital platforms.
