Shooting for the Stars

The IVLP participants, including Skyroot Aerospace co-founder Naga Bharath Daka (center, back row), at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. (Photograph courtesy facebook.com/StateIVLP)

Nine leaders from the Indian space industry traveled to the United States in March 2024 for an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) focusing on U.S.-India Commercial Space Collaboration. The IVLP is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program.

The group met with American space counterparts in the private and public sectors, including Axiom Space, Viasat, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The program aimed to create opportunities for Indian and U.S. private space firms to network and identify areas for partnership.

Meet three of the participants and learn about their work and experiences during the IVLP.

I am: Naga Bharath Daka, co-founder and chief operating officer of Skyroot Aerospace.

I got interested in the space sector when: I was working with my future partner, Pawan Chandana, on some exciting space-related projects at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.

Skyroot is: one of India’s leading private space-tech companies, distinguished by its groundbreaking achievements since its establishment in 2018, including launching India’s first private rocket.

I launched Skyroot because: the emergence of a vibrant Indian space sector, particularly the rapidly growing global market for small satellite launches, presented a compelling opportunity.

The impact of my work that I am most proud of is: without a doubt, the launch of India’s first private rocket, the Vikram-S, in November 2022. It was a major validation of Skyroot’s capabilities and demonstrated the potential of the private sector to play a significant role in India’s space endeavors.

My latest project is: achieving India’s first private orbital launch. We’re incredibly excited about this next big milestone for Skyroot, which will be spearheaded by our Vikram-1 rocket.

The IVLP program provided: a comprehensive understanding of how enabling policies, both regulatory and financial, can impact the development of a private space technology ecosystem. Visiting the NASA HQ and learning about policy frameworks like fixed-price contracts and Space Act Agreements demonstrated how strategic government support can drive substantial progress in the sector. The program underscored the importance of public-private partnerships and offered valuable insights that can be adapted to enhance the space ecosystem in India.

One thing that surprised me during the IVLP was: the scale and efficiency of operations at the SpaceX factory in Hawthorne, Los Angeles. As a co-founder of a small-satellite launch start-up, witnessing the production activities of Falcon 9 rockets up close was incredibly inspirational. It showcases what is possible when there is a robust support system for private industry in the space sector.

My most memorable moment from the IVLP program is: visiting Cape Canaveral and learning about the history and new initiatives being undertaken at the Kennedy Space Center. The efforts to accommodate new-age launch companies and establish spaceports highlighted the forward-thinking approach of the U.S. space program. This visit, combined with the inspirational experience at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where I saw the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope being built, reinforced the potential of a well-supported space industry to achieve remarkable feats.

Anirudh Sharma believes that by combining expertise and strategic partnerships, the United States and India can lead the way in addressing global challenges in space operations. (Photograph courtesy Anirudh Sharma)

I am: Anirudh Sharma, founder and chief executive officer of Digantara.

I got interested in the space sector when: I was part of a student satellite team during my undergrad years.

Digantara is: a Bengaluru-based space situational awareness company. We are developing an end-to-end infrastructure to address the difficulties of space operations and space traffic management through our Space-Mission Assurance Platform a.k.a. Space-MAP.

This platform will be as powerful and sophisticated as Google Maps, serving as a foundational layer for space operations and astrodynamics research.

The impact of my work that I am most proud of is: starting Digantara as a student and growing it into a company committed to creating a sustainable space environment.

My latest project is: the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms into Space-MAP. This will improve predictive analytics and real-time decision-making capabilities for space traffic management.

The IVLP program taught me: how the U.S. government has been instrumental in building the capacity of the space industry through strategic investments, regulatory support, and fostering a robust ecosystem of innovation. Programs and policies designed to encourage public-private partnerships have significantly contributed to the rapid advancement of space technologies. The IVLP also highlighted the importance of international collaboration.

One thing that surprised me during the IVLP was: the incredible scale and ambition of the space industry in the United States. My most memorable visits were to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the SpaceX rocket factory. Witnessing firsthand the massive scale at which SpaceX is constructing rockets left me in awe.

My most memorable moment from the IVLP program: was the opportunity to visit multiple NASA centers, where I engaged with policymakers and experts who are at the forefront of space exploration and innovation. A standout experience was witnessing a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral. The thrill of seeing a live rocket launch, combined with insightful discussions on space policy and cutting-edge technologies, provided a comprehensive and inspiring view of the current and future landscape of the space industry.

My thoughts about the future of U.S.-India collaboration in the space sector are: extremely positive. Both nations have a rich history of space exploration and innovation. By combining resources, expertise and strategic partnerships, the United States and India can lead the way in addressing global challenges in space operations, driving technological advancements for the benefit of the global community.

Sanjay Nekkanti got interested in the space sector when he helped lead a student nanosatellite mission in 2011. (Photograph courtesy Sanjay Nekkanti)

I am: Sanjay Nekkanti, chief executive officer and co-founder of Dhruva Space.

I got interested in the space sector when: I helped lead the first student nanosatellite SRMSat mission, supported and launched by ISRO onboard PSLV-C18 in 2011.

Dhruva Space: is a full-stack space technology provider based in Hyderabad. It is active across space, launch and ground segments and supports civilian and defense clients worldwide.

I founded Dhruva Space because: I believed in India’s potential to become the satellite-making capital of the world. In 2012, I noticed there were no private space companies that were launching anything. Once the government started showing support for the private sector, I knew this could pave the way for a new era.

The impact of my work that I am most proud of: is seeing how Dhruva Space’s contribution to the privatization of the Indian space sector has impacted the global population.

My latest project is: Dhruva Space’s upcoming LEAP-1 mission on our P-30 nanosatellite platform set to launch later this year, which will be India’s first hosted payload mission.

The IVLP program taught me: that there is a need for more awareness among U.S. non-governmental entities about the abilities of their Indian counterparts. More awareness will lead to better bilateral cooperation.

One thing that surprised me during the IVLP: and pleasantly so, was the focus on innovation throughout the program. It highlighted the importance of investing in research and development to maintain a competitive stance in the global market.

My most memorable moment from the IVLP program: is the visit to the Goddard Space Flight Center, which featured a tour of the AIT facility of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The engineer in me reveled in this experience, especially as Dhruva Space is setting up a 280,000 square-foot facility for the design, engineering, assembly, integration and testing of various spacecraft. This tour affirmed that Dhruva Space is on the right path.

My thoughts about the future of U.S.-India collaboration in the space sector: The potential is immense. Consistent and transparent dialogue between all key stakeholders, private and government, is imperative for true collaboration, shared innovation and sustained development.

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