A GROWING ARMY

FIVE OF THE 100-ODD PRIVATE START-UPs COMPETING FOR INDIA’S SPACE SECTOR

SKYROOT AEROSPACE FOUNDED: 2018; FOUNDERS: Pawan Chandana, Bharath Daka Skyroot provides launch services for small satellites. It successfully tested its first launcher Vikram-S on November 18; as of 2022, it has completed full ground tests of its first rocket, Vikram I. Two heavier rockets— Vikram II and Vikram III—are currently in development. AGNIKUL COSMOS FOUNDED: 2017; FOUNDERS: Srinath Ravichandran, Moin S.P.M. Developing and testing its spacefaring technology since 2018, AgniKul successfully developed a single-piece fully 3D printed upper stage engine in 2019. Its first launcher is expected to be tested in December. DHRUVA SPACE FOUNDED: 2012; FOUNDERS: Sanjay Nekkanti, Krishna Teja Penamakuru, Abhay Egoor, Chaitanya Dora Surapureddy The firm was established to lead the privatisation of the satellite industry in India. It says it is developing an indigenous small satellite platform with a focus on assembly, integration, testing and operation of satellites. PIXXEL FOUNDED: 2019; FOUNDERS: Awais Ahmed, Kshitij Khandelwal The firm describes itself as a space data company, building a stable of hyper-spectral Earthimaging satellites and the analytical tools needed to mine insights from the data they gather. BELLATRIX AEROSPACE FOUNDED: 2015; FOUNDERS: Rohan M. Ganapathy, Yashas Karanam The firm specialises in in-space propulsion systems and orbital launch vehicles. It works to facilitate the development of key technologies in electrical propulsion, new-generation propellants and launch vehicles.