SpaceX Shatters Shuttle Record; India’s Skyroot Aims High
▼ Summary
– Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of the first crewed launch to the International Space Station, which began continuous human presence in space.
– Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian space startup, is targeting its first full-scale commercial satellite launch mission in January 2026.
– After its debut flight, Skyroot aims for a launch every three months in 2027 and one every month from 2027, with each mission generating nearly $5 million.
– Maritime Launch Services received up to CA$10 million in funding from Canada’s government for infrastructure and a launch pad at Spaceport Nova Scotia.
– The Rocket Report includes updates on various rocket categories and upcoming launches, and readers can subscribe to receive future issues.
This week marks a quarter-century since humans first began their continuous presence aboard the International Space Station, a testament to global cooperation and resilience even during periods of terrestrial conflict and technical setbacks. It’s a milestone that underscores how far space exploration has come. We invite our readers to contribute their insights and encourage subscribing to ensure you receive every edition of our report, which covers developments across small, medium, and heavy-lift launch vehicles along with a preview of upcoming missions.
Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace is targeting its inaugural commercial satellite launch for January 2026, according to a recent report. Should this mission succeed, the company plans to ramp up its launch frequency dramatically, aiming for a launch every three months throughout the following year and increasing to a monthly cadence starting in 2027. Each satellite deployment is projected to bring in close to $5 million in revenue, as stated by Skyroot CEO Pawan Chandana. The company already made history as India’s first private space startup to demonstrate a rocket launch back in November 2022, sending a smaller test vehicle aloft from Sriharikota. While several other Indian launch startups are emerging, Skyroot currently stands out as particularly promising. Still, achieving a quarterly launch schedule next year represents a highly ambitious goal. Even one successful commercial mission in 2026 would mark a major leap forward for India’s private space sector.
In other funding news, Maritime Launch Services has secured a senior credit facility valued at up to 10 million Canadian dollars, equivalent to roughly $7.1 million, from a Canadian government export credit agency. This financial support, intended to address defense, telecommunications, and weather-monitoring requirements, will help fund the development of Spaceport Nova Scotia. The Atlantic launch facility will use the capital for infrastructure upgrades and construction of a launch pad designed for orbital missions. Half of the committed funds are being disbursed upfront, with the remainder available as needed to cover ongoing construction expenses.
(Source: Ars Technica)
