Skyroot inks two MoUs with French Space firms for upcoming Vikram series Space launches

HYDERABAD: In a significant step towards its upcoming Vikram 1 orbital launch and other forthcoming Vikram missions, Skyroot on Tuesday has signed two MoUs with Prométhée Earth Intelligence and Expleo, securing satellite launch services for their JAPETUS Earth observation constellation and Reconfigurable Software for ConnectSAT's IoT Satellite for the futuristic OSIRIS satellite constellation.

These MoUs, which were signed at the Skyroot facility in Hyderabad as part of the visit of a leading French business delegation, were intended to lead to the procurement of launch services from Skyroot by the satellite companies over single or multi-launch agreements covering several Vikram space launches.

The MoU between Prométhée and Skyroot was signed by Olivier Piepsz, Co-Founder and CEO of Prométhée, and Pawan Chandana and Bharath Daka, Co-Founders of Skyroot Aerospace. This followed the exploratory understanding made between the two companies in Paris in July 2023.

Olivier Piepsz, CEO of Prométhée, expressed, "The strategic relationship between India and France, coupled with the Indian government's inclusion of the private sector in its remarkable space endeavors, presents an extraordinary opportunity for both our companies. If we cultivate the NewSpace ecosystems together in a mutually beneficial collaborative mode, we will emerge stronger in France, stronger in India, and more competitive in global markets."

He highlighted that 50 percent of Prométhée's satellites require specific orbital requirements, making Skyroot's Vikram launch vehicles an ideal choice for deploying a portion of their satellite constellation.

The trilateral agreement between Expleo, ConnectSAT and Skyroot was signed between Abdoulahi Ben Moussa Dia, CEO of ConnectSAT, Frédérique Rebout, Director Alliances and Partners, and Pawan Chandana, Co-Founder and CEO, Skyroot Aerospace.

Pawan Chandana, Co-Founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, commented on the visit of the esteemed French space delegation to their facilities, emphasizing its significance in strengthening the India-France relationship in the space sector.

This collaboration aligns seamlessly with India's prominent role in global space discussions, marked by remarkable achievements such as Chandrayaan III, Aditya L1, and groundbreaking private space reforms.

Chandana stressed the importance of these MoUs as Skyroot advances towards its next Vikram mission and highlighted that Skyroot's space launches were increasingly becoming the preferred choice for global operators aiming to build futuristic satellite constellations.

Skyroot is set to launch the Vikram 1 orbital rocket as part of its second mission in the forthcoming months, and follows the successful launch of Vikram S rocket in November 2022.

Its Vikram series of rockets boast of advanced technologies including 3D printing, carbon composite bodies and modular framework that can suit multiple space launch requirements and orbital deployments.