Axiom Space, Skyroot Aerospace ink MoU for space exploration, access to low-earth orbit
Fresh from the success of group captain Shubhanshu Shukla's spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission's commercial spaceflight, Axiom Space signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace to explore collaboration opportunities to advance space exploration and access to low-earth orbit (LEO).
The Houston-based company, which launched its fourth private mission to the ISS on June 25, will explore utilising Skyroot's capabilities for research payloads, orbital data centre nodes, and other missions to Axiom Station and independently in LEO.
'Together, the two organisations are excited to collaborate in serving India and international markets,' they said in a joint statement.
While Axiom plans to construct and operationalise its own Axiom Station LEO, the company is looking to develop a global supply chain and partner with startups. Skyroot is the first Indian startup to launch a rocket into space and has partnered with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). After launching its Vikram-S rocket, the startup is preparing to launch the Vikram-1 rocket, its maiden orbital-class launch vehicle. 'As we begin realising this vision with the upcoming maiden launch of Vikram-1, the partnership with Axiom Space builds an opportunity to explore integrated launch and orbital solutions that will shape humanity's future in space,' said Pawan Kumar Chandana, cofounder of Skyroot.Tejpaul Bhatia, CEO of Axiom Space, said that since the day he visited Skyroot's facility two years ago, he knew the two companies had to work together to define humanity's future in space. 'This collaboration further reinforces the growing cooperation between Axiom Space and the Indian space sector,' Axiom said in a statement.
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