Biography of Pawan Kumar Chandana: CEO and Co-Founder of Skyroot Aerospace-Entrepreneur
Biography of Pawan Kumar Chandana:
Pawan Kumar Chandana, the CEO and CTO of Skyroot Aerospace,
is a distinguished figure in the aerospace industry with a remarkable
background in rocket science and technology. Born in 1991 in Hyderabad,
Telangana, Pawan pursued his higher education at the Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical
Engineering and a Master’s degree in Thermal Science and Engineering. His
academic prowess set the stage for an impressive career in aerospace.
Early Career at ISRO
Before founding Skyroot Aerospace, Pawan spent six years at
the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), where he made significant
contributions as a scientist at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. During his tenure, he was involved in the
development of the GSLV Mk-III, India’s largest and heaviest launch vehicle.
Pawan's role in designing the S200 booster rocket, part of the GSLV Mk-3, and
his position as Deputy Project Manager for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
(SSLV) showcased his expertise and leadership in space technology.
Innovations and Awards at ISRO
Pawan's innovative contributions earned him notable
recognition at ISRO. In 2016, he received the Best Innovative Product Award for
developing a modern torque-limiting tool essential for securing space launch
vehicle hardware. The same year, he also won the Best Innovative Idea Award for
creating a high-performance solution for vibration isolation of rocket
components. These accolades underscored his role in advancing rocket science
and engineering.
Founding Skyroot Aerospace
In June 2018, Pawan co-founded Skyroot Aerospace in
Hyderabad, alongside Naga Bharath Daka, another former ISRO scientist. The
company, aimed at providing private launch vehicle solutions, was established
with support from several notable figures, including Vasudevan Gnana Gandhi,
Mukesh Bansal, and Ankit Nagor. Skyroot Aerospace was set up to innovate in the
aerospace sector and make space more accessible.
Early Milestones and Funding
Skyroot Aerospace achieved a significant milestone on
November 20, 2020, by signing a memorandum of understanding with Dhruva Space,
marking a crucial step in its growth. The company gained further traction in
May 2021, raising $11 million in Series A funding. Key investors included
Greenko Group, Solar Industries, Neeraj Arora, Mukesh Bansal, and Sutton
Capital, reflecting strong support from various sectors.
Biography of Pawan Kumar Chandana: CEO and Co-Founder of Skyroot Aerospace/Private space agency/Elon musk of India/story of Pawan Kumar Chandana'
Partnership with ISRO
In September 2021, Skyroot Aerospace became the first Indian
startup to gain access to ISRO’s facilities and expertise through an agreement
with the Department of Space. This partnership allowed Skyroot to test its
systems and sub-systems, significantly advancing its development capabilities
and integrating its technology with national space infrastructure.
Series B Funding and Support
On January 27, 2022, Skyroot Aerospace secured $4.5 million
in Series B funding, with contributions from Sherpalo Ventures, Ram Shriram,
Amit Singhal, Wami Capital, and other investors. This round of funding was
pivotal in accelerating the company's projects and scaling its operations to
meet the growing demand for innovative space solutions.
Testing and Achievements
Skyroot Aerospace reached a historic milestone on July 30,
2020, by test-firing the Raman-1 engine, a hypergolic-fuel upper-stage engine
named in honor of the Indian physicist C. V. Raman. This achievement marked
Skyroot as the first Indian private company to test such an engine,
demonstrating its capabilities in developing cutting-edge aerospace technology.
Skyroot Aerospace’s Milestones
Skyroot Aerospace made a significant advancement on December
22, 2020, by testing the Kalam-5 solid-fuel rocket engine at a private facility
in Nagpur, owned by Solar Industries. The Kalam-5, named after A. P. J. Kalam,
has a peak sea-level thrust of 5.3 kN. This test marked an important step in
the development of Skyroot’s rocket technology.
Kalam-100 Test-Firing
In May 2022, Skyroot Aerospace successfully completed a
full-duration test-firing of the Kalam-100, a rocket stage for the Vikram-1.
With a peak vacuum thrust of 100 kN (approximately 10 tons) and a burn time of
108 seconds, the Kalam-100 features a high-strength carbon fiber structure,
solid fuel, and a carbon ablative nozzle. Media reports highlighted it as the
largest rocket stage ever designed, manufactured, and tested by a private
company in India.
Dhawan-1 Cryogenic Engine
On November 25, 2021, Skyroot tested the Dhawan-1
upper-stage cryogenic engine at a private site provided by Solar Industries.
Using liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LOX), Dhawan-1 became the
first cryogenic engine in India to use LNG, known for its clean and reusable
qualities. The engine, made with 3D printing and regenerative cooling using
superalloys, was developed to support heavy-lift systems like the Vikram-II.
Development of the Vikram Series
Skyroot Aerospace embarked on creating the Vikram series of
small-lift launch vehicles in 2020, named in honor of the Indian physicist and
ISRO founder Vikram Sarabhai. The series aims to offer a simpler, faster, and
more cost-effective solution compared to other small satellite launch vehicles
globally. In February 2021, Skyroot partnered with Bellatrix Aerospace to
integrate Bellatrix’s orbital transfer vehicle with the Vikram rockets.
Historic Launch of Vikram-S
The first vehicle of the Vikram series, Vikram-S, was
launched successfully from Sriharikota on November 18, 2022. This launch marked
a milestone as it was the first rocket to be launched by a private company in
India, demonstrating Skyroot’s growing capabilities in the aerospace sector.
Awards and Recognition
Pawan and Skyroot Aerospace have received several
prestigious awards, including the National Startup Award from the Government of
India in 2020 and the Pride of Telangana - Startup Achiever Award in 2021. Skyroot
also won the Aegis Graham Bell Award for innovation and the Best Innovator
Award at the Telangana State Industry Awards, highlighting the company's impact
and success in the aerospace sector.
Recognition and Personal Achievements
In September 2021, Skyroot Aerospace was ranked 7th among
LinkedIn’s Top Startups in India. Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder of Skyroot,
was listed among India Today’s top 100 Young Achievers in 2022 and appeared on
the magazine’s cover. Chandana, also known as the "Elon Musk of
India," shared his unexpected selection by ISRO despite a lower academic
performance. He is skilled in various software and hardware technologies and
has delivered TEDx talks on space colonization and the role of obsession in
achieving success.
A Visionary Leader
Pawan Kumar Chandana’s journey from a scientist at ISRO to
the CEO and CTO of a pioneering aerospace company is a testament to his vision,
dedication, and innovation. His work with Skyroot Aerospace continues to push
the boundaries of space technology, making significant strides in the field and
inspiring the next generation of aerospace engineers and entrepreneurs.
A timeline of Pawan Kumar Chandana's career and the
milestones of Skyroot Aerospace:
1991: Pawan Kumar Chandana is born in Hyderabad, Telangana,
India.
2012: Pawan graduates from IIT Kharagpur with a Bachelor’s
degree in Mechanical Engineering.
2014: Pawan completes a Master’s degree in Thermal Science and Engineering from IIT Kharagpur.
June 2012 - 2018: Pawan works at ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai
Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. He contributes to the GSLV Mk-III
and the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), and wins awards for innovation
in 2016.
June 2018: Pawan co-founds Skyroot Aerospace in Hyderabad
with Naga Bharath Daka.
November 20, 2020: Skyroot Aerospace signs a memorandum of
understanding with Dhruva Space.
July 30, 2020: Skyroot tests the Raman-1 engine, becoming
the first Indian private company to do so.
May 2021: Skyroot raises $11 million in Series A funding.
September 2021: Skyroot becomes the first Indian startup to
access ISRO’s facilities and expertise.
November 25, 2021: Skyroot tests the Dhawan-1 cryogenic
engine.
January 27, 2022: Skyroot secures $4.5 million in Series B
funding.
May 2022: Skyroot completes a full-duration test-firing of
the Kalam-100 rocket stage.
November 18, 2022: Skyroot successfully launches the
Vikram-S, the first rocket by a private company in India.
Awards and Recognition
2020: Skyroot wins the National Startup Award from the
Government of India.
2021: Skyroot receives the Pride of Telangana - Startup
Achiever Award and the Aegis Graham Bell Award for innovation.
2021: Pawan is listed among India Today’s top 100 Young
Achievers and appears on the magazine’s cover.
2022: Skyroot is ranked 7th among LinkedIn’s Top Startups in
India.
Pawan Kumar Chandana's leadership at Skyroot Aerospace
showcases his vision and dedication to advancing aerospace technology. His
innovative contributions and the milestones achieved by Skyroot underscore the
significant impact of his work on the aerospace industry in India and beyond.
