Pawan Kumar Chandana's journey from a math whiz with a 51 mark score to India's largest private rocket factory owner is nothing short of extraordinary. It's a tale of ambition, perseverance, and the power of following your dreams, even when they seem impossible. But what makes Chandana's story truly captivating is the unexpected twist of fate that led him to become a pioneer in the Indian space industry.
Chandana's academic journey began with a modest start. Scoring 51 in math might seem like a low mark, but it was the spark that ignited his passion for science and technology. His father's unwavering support and encouragement to pursue IIT JEE coaching played a pivotal role in shaping his future. It was during this period of preparation that Chandana discovered his love for mathematics and science, setting the stage for his remarkable career.
After securing admission to IIT Kharagpur, Chandana's academic prowess flourished. He earned a dual BTech-MTech degree in Mechanical Engineering, but his true calling lay in the realm of rockets and space exploration. Despite the allure of high-paying jobs and international careers, Chandana's fascination with space technology led him to join ISRO as a scientist in 2012. His work at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram was instrumental in developing India's heavy launch vehicle, the GSLV Mk-III, and the S-200 solid booster for GSLV Mk-II.
However, Chandana's true passion lay in entrepreneurship. In 2018, he made a bold decision to quit ISRO and pursue his dream of building a space-tech company in India. This move was met with skepticism, as private rocket development was not yet allowed or funded in the country. But Chandana's determination and belief in his vision led him to seek funding from fellow IIT Kharagpur alumnus Mukesh Bansal, who invested $1.5 million in his venture.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented a significant challenge, but Chandana's resilience and innovation prevailed. He secured funding from the founders of renewable energy giant Greenko, enabling him to co-found Skyroot Aerospace in Hyderabad. In July 2020, Skyroot Aerospace became the first private Indian company to test a rocket engine, the Raman-1, named after Nobel laureate C.V. Raman. This achievement marked a significant milestone in India's space industry.
The turning point came in 2021 when the Indian government opened the space sector to private companies. Skyroot Aerospace became the first private player to sign an MoU with ISRO and raise India's largest DeepTech cheque of $51 million. On November 18, 2022, Skyroot Aerospace launched Vikram S, India's first privately developed suborbital rocket, reaching an altitude of 90km. This achievement solidified Skyroot's position as India's largest private rocket company.
The company's success continued with the establishment of the country's largest private rocket manufacturing unit and the hiring of nearly 1,000 employees. In May 2026, Skyroot Aerospace raised $60 million in a funding round co-led by Sherpalo Ventures and the firm of Ram Shriram, the first external investor in Google and GIC, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund. Today, Chandana's company is valued at around $1.1 billion and is preparing for the next milestone, the orbital launch scheduled for 2026.
If successful, Skyroot could join the top five private companies globally capable of regular orbital missions. The USA has SpaceX, New Zealand has Rocket Lab, and India has Skyroot. Chandana's journey from a math whiz to a rocket pioneer is a testament to the power of innovation, determination, and the pursuit of dreams, even in the face of adversity. It's a story that inspires us to believe in the impossible and strive for greatness, no matter the odds.
