PERSONAL INFORMATION
Profession(s): • Aerospace scientist • Space entrepreneur
Date of Birth: 1991 (year)
Age (as of 2022): 31 Years
Birthplace: Hyderabad, Telangana
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Hyderabad, Telangana
Marriage Date: 10 October 2019
Age: 31 Years
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EDUCATION
College/University: IIT, Kharagpur
Educational Qualification: • Studied B.Tech in mechanical engineering at IIT, Kharagpur • Studied M.Tech in thermal science and Engineering at IIT, Kharagpur [1] Linkedin – Pawan Kumar Chandana
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters – 175 cm in meters – 1.75 m in feet & inches – 5’ 9”
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Married
Wife/Spouse: Nirupama Chandana
Wife: Nirupama Chandana
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Awards: • 2016: Won Best Innovative Product Award by ISRO for inventing a modern torque limiting tool for secure fastening of Space Launch Vehicle hardware • 2016: Won Best Innovative Idea Award by ISRO for a high-performance solution to vibration isolation of rocket hardware • 2018: Won the Aerospace Engineering Division Prize from The Institution of Engineers • 2020: Skyroot Aerospace won National Startup Award from the Government of India • 2021: Skyroot Aerospace won the Pride of Telangana – Startup Achiever Award • 2021: Skyroot Aerospace team won Aegis Graham Bell Award for Jury choice award under the innovation category for the year 2020 • 2021: Won Best Innovator Award at Telangana State Industry Awards • 2022: Skyroot Aerospace won National Award for Technology Startups for Cryogenic, Liquid, and Solid Propulsion Technologies by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Pawan Kumar Chandana stands at the forefront of India’s burgeoning aerospace sector as the co-founder, CEO, and Chief Technology Officer of Skyroot Aerospace, a pioneering private company focused on manufacturing launch vehicles. His journey in the realm of aerospace began in September 2012, when he joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as a scientist at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Over the course of five years, Pawan played a vital role in the development of the GSLV Mk-II rocket, one of India’s largest and heaviest launch vehicles. His expertise shone through as he served as the system engineer for the S200 booster rocket of the GSLV Mk-III, and, before departing ISRO in June 2018, he held the esteemed position of Deputy Project Manager for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
On June 12, 2018, Pawan took a bold step into entrepreneurship by co-founding Skyroot Aerospace in Hyderabad, alongside Naga Bharath Daka, a former ISRO scientist. Their venture was supported by a consortium of esteemed figures, including Vasudevan Gnana Gandhi, renowned Indian rocket scientist, and entrepreneurs Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagor. Under Pawan’s leadership, Skyroot Aerospace quickly made waves in the aerospace industry. One of the significant milestones came on November 20, 2020, when Skyroot signed a memorandum with Dhruva Space, strengthening its position within India’s aerospace manufacturing landscape. Demonstrating remarkable momentum, the company raised an impressive $11 million in Series A funding on May 20, 2021, with contributions from an array of investors, including Greenko Group and Neeraj Arora.
Skyroot Aerospace’s innovative spirit was further highlighted in September 2021 when it became the first Indian startup to access ISRO’s facilities, allowing them to test their rocket systems and sub-systems. This access enabled groundbreaking advancements, including the successful test-firing of the Raman-1 engine—a feat that established them as the first Indian private company to test a hypergolic-fuel engine. The company’s commitment to innovation continued with the development and testing of the Kalam-100 rocket stage, which showcased cutting-edge engineering with its high-strength carbon fiber structure and advanced thermal protection systems. Additionally, the successful test of the Dhawan-1 cryogenic engine in November 2021, which utilized liquefied natural gas, marked another milestone in their journey, making it India’s first cryogenic engine to employ such fuel.
Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram series of small-lift launch vehicles exemplifies Pawan Kumar Chandana’s vision for accessible space technology. The inaugural launch vehicle, Vikram-S, made history on November 18, 2022, as the first rocket from a private company to be launched in India. Following this, the Vikram I and Vikram II vehicles were engineered for rapid assembly and deployment, further emphasizing Skyroot’s commitment to innovation and efficiency in space missions. Recognition of Pawan’s contributions came in 2022 when he was listed among India Today’s top 100 Young Achievers and graced the magazine’s cover. Notably, his journey resonates with those who have followed in the footsteps of remarkable innovators, earning him the nickname the “Elon Musk of India.” Combining his technical acumen—skilled in software and hardware technologies such as ANSYS and AutoCAD—with a passion for space exploration, Pawan continues to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.
