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Hyderabad-based spacetech Skyroot Aerospace has inked a pact with Texas-based spacetech startup Axiom Space to collaborate on advancing space explorations, particularly enhancing access to low earth orbit (LEO).

Axiom has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Skyroot to further strengthen its collaboration in the Indian space sector.

As part of the deal, Axiom Space will utilise Skyroot’s capabilities for groundbreaking research payloads, orbital data center nodes and other missions to Axiom Station.

“As we begin realising this vision with the upcoming maiden launch of Vikram-1, the partnership with Axiom Space builds an opportunity to explore integrated launch and orbital solutions that will shape humanity’s future in space,” said Pawan Kumar Chandana, cofounder and chief executive at Skyroot Aerospace.

Founded in 2018 by Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot has built a modular space launch vehicle which is designed for small satellite markets in India. For context, modular space launch vehicles allow flexibility to interchange components as per the needs of the mission and payload.

It claims to be the first private company to launch a rocket into space in South Asia and has successfully launched its launch vehicle named Vikram-S in 2022. It is now geared up to launch its maiden orbital-class launch vehicle called Vikram-1.

According to Inc42’s Datalabs, the startup has raised a total of $95 Mn till date and counts the likes of WorldQuant Ventures, Graph Ventures, and Meraki Labs as its backers. It last raised $51 Mn in a Series B round led by Singapore’s sovereign fund GIC back in 2022.

On the other hand, Axiom Space was launched in 2016 by Kam Ghaffarian and Michael T. Suffredini. Axiom is a full stack spacetech company which is building a commercial international space station (ISS), provides space suits to astronauts and also offers human spaceflight solutions and in-space manufacturing solutions to researchers and innovators.

Axiom Space launched its Axiom Mission 4 on June 25, carrying India’s first astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS), Shubhanshu Shukla. Shukla, along with three other astronauts, is part of a 14-day mission to the ISS, where he will be conducting seven India-led experiments. The mission is a joint effort among Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA.

This collaboration will help Skyroot to further tap into India’s spacetech market which is expected to reach the $77 Bn mark by 2030.

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