Pawan Kumar Chandana Education Background: CEO & Co-Founder of Skyroot Aerospace

Published: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 17:21 [IST]

Pawan Kumar Chandana is an Indian aerospace engineer, entrepreneur, and the CEO and Co-Founder of Skyroot Aerospace, one of India's leading private space technology companies. Widely recognized for driving innovation in India's commercial space sector, Chandana played a key role in developing India's first privately built rocket, Vikram-S, which successfully launched in November 2022.

Pawan Kumar Chandana Education Background: CEO — Image from PTI

Before becoming an entrepreneur, he worked with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where he contributed to several major launch vehicle projects.

His strong educational foundation in engineering, combined with years of experience in rocket technology, has helped him emerge as one of India's most influential space entrepreneurs.

Early Education

Pawan Kumar Chandana completed his schooling in Andhra Pradesh, where he developed an early interest in mathematics, physics, and engineering. During his school years, he was fascinated by space science and the functioning of rockets, which motivated him to pursue a career in aerospace engineering.

His academic performance and passion for science enabled him to secure admission to one of India's premier engineering institutions.

Engineering Education

Pawan Kumar Chandana pursued a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, one of India's most prestigious engineering institutes.

At IIT Kharagpur, he built a strong foundation in:

Mechanical Engineering
Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics
Manufacturing Technology
Machine Design
Propulsion Systems
Engineering Mathematics

His engineering education exposed him to advanced research, innovation, and practical problem-solving, which later became invaluable in rocket development and aerospace technology.

The rigorous academic environment at IIT Kharagpur also helped him develop leadership, teamwork, and analytical skills that proved essential during his entrepreneurial journey.

Career at ISRO

After graduating from IIT Kharagpur, Chandana joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as a scientist and engineer.

During his tenure at ISRO, he worked for nearly six years on several important launch vehicle programmes. His responsibilities included developing propulsion systems and contributing to the design and testing of rocket technologies used in India's space missions.

His experience at ISRO provided him with deep technical knowledge of:

Rocket propulsion
Launch vehicle systems
Aerospace engineering
Mission planning
Space technology development

Working alongside some of India's finest scientists inspired him to explore opportunities in the private space industry.

Founding Skyroot Aerospace

In 2018, Pawan Kumar Chandana co-founded Skyroot Aerospace along with Naga Bharath Daka, another former ISRO scientist.

The company's mission is to make satellite launches more affordable, reliable, and accessible through innovative launch vehicles designed for the growing global small satellite market.

Under Chandana's leadership, Skyroot Aerospace has achieved several milestones, including:

Development of the Vikram rocket series
Successful launch of Vikram-S, India's first privately developed rocket
Partnerships with ISRO and IN-SPACe
Raising significant investments from leading venture capital firms
Expanding India's private space ecosystem

Leadership Style

As CEO, Chandana combines technical expertise with strategic business leadership. His engineering background enables him to understand complex aerospace challenges while guiding product development, fundraising, and global partnerships.

He is widely regarded as a strong advocate for innovation, research, and private participation in India's rapidly growing space sector.

Achievements

Some of his notable accomplishments include:

Co-founding one of India's first private rocket companies.
Leading the successful launch of Vikram-S.
Supporting India's commercial space ambitions.
Promoting indigenous aerospace technology.
Building a globally competitive private launch company.

Contribution to India's Space Industry

Pawan Kumar Chandana represents the new generation of Indian entrepreneurs transforming the country's space ecosystem. His journey from IIT Kharagpur to ISRO and eventually to Skyroot Aerospace demonstrates how strong technical education, industry experience, and entrepreneurial vision can create globally impactful innovations.

Today, he continues to play a significant role in positioning India as a major player in the commercial space launch market while inspiring young engineers and entrepreneurs to pursue careers in aerospace and deep technology.