PM Modi launches Skyroot Infinity Campus in Hyderabad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new “Infinity Campus” of Hyderabad-based private space startup Skyroot Aerospace on Thursday via video conference. During the event, he also unveiled the company’s first orbital rocket, Vikram-I, designed to deploy satellites into orbit. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy participated from Hyderabad.

Calling the campus a milestone for India’s private space sector, Modi praised the innovative spirit of young engineers, designers, and coders driving the nation’s technological advancements. He lauded Skyroot co-founders Pawan Kumar Chandan and Naga Bharat Dhaka - both former ISRO scientists and IIT alumni - for their bold vision and risk-taking that led to this achievement. Skyroot became the first private Indian company to successfully launch a rocket in 2022 with its Vikram-S mission.

The state-of-the-art Infinity Campus spans 200,000 square feet and is designed for the development, testing, and assembly of rockets, with the capacity to produce one orbital rocket per month. Modi highlighted India’s journey from transporting rocket components by bicycle to producing some of the world’s most reliable launch vehicles, crediting decades of ISRO’s work for the nation’s growing recognition in the global space community.

He emphasized the strategic importance of the space sector for communication, weather forecasting, and national security. Through initiatives like IN-SPACe, the government has encouraged private participation, resulting in over 300 space startups now emerging in India. Modi added that India’s cost-effective and dependable space capabilities have attracted global companies seeking satellite manufacturing and launch services.

Looking ahead, Modi announced plans to open India’s nuclear sector to private participation as well, aiming to enhance energy security and technological leadership. He highlighted programs such as the National Research Foundation and the ₹1 lakh crore research fund, and mentioned the expansion of Atal Tinkering Labs from 10,000 existing labs to 50,000 more. India aims to produce five new space-sector unicorns within the next five years. Modi assured that the government would support every young innovator and startup along the way.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy said India is building a comprehensive ecosystem to support the manufacturing, launch, and services needed for the space sector under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. With established institutions like DRDO, HAL, and BDL alongside emerging startups, Hyderabad is becoming a major hub for aerospace development. Kishan Reddy stated that India’s space economy, currently valued at ₹70,000 crore, is projected to grow to ₹4 lakh crore by 2033.

He also noted India’s growing prestige in global space research, with ISRO having launched over 400 satellites for 34 countries. Achievements like the Shubanshu Shukla space mission and the Mangalyaan mission have established India as a rising space power, with the nation’s rockets serving not only technological purposes but also symbolizing national ambition.