That India is the new big player in the space sector is no secret after the historic success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission where India became the first country to land a spacecraft near the lunar south pole on August 23.
As per Union MoS for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh, India’s space economy is set to reach USD 40 billion by 2040! The time is ripe for a career in the space industry, and even better — to develop a startup in this field. As Singh noted, while there were only four space startups in India in 2014, that number has increased to more than 150 in 2023.
In November 2022, Skyroot Aerospace made the landmark achievement of becoming India and South Asia’s first private entity to launch a rocket, the Vikram-S, into space. Just a year later, in April 2023, they unveiled another remarkable achievement – the successful test firing of the Dhawan-II, a state-of-the-art 3D-printed cryogenic rocket engine.
Headquartered in Hyderabad, Skyroot has swiftly emerged as India’s pioneering private space launch startup, with aspirations akin to SpaceX. Founded in 2018 by Pawan Kumar Chandana, a former scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Naga Bharath Daka, an ex-ISRO engineer, the company has made significant strides in the aerospace industry.
Pawan Kumar Chandana’s impressive track record at ISRO, spanning nearly six years, has been instrumental in Skyroot Aerospace’s rapid success.
His expertise in avionics engineering and visionary leadership has positioned the company to develop cutting-edge space launch vehicles to meet the surging demands of the satellite market, positioning India as a global contender in commercial aerospace.
Backed by ISRO and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), Skyroot is set to reshape the future of space exploration in India.
India Today got talking to Pawan Chandana on the sidelines of the SmartIdeathon event held at GITAM (deemed to be university) at Hyderabad a day after ISRO’s successful Chandrayaan-3 mission.
The chief guest gave a presentation where he shared his journey from childhood to ISRO to Skyroot, and listed a few entrepreneurship lessons he learned on the way for the benefit for students at the startup competition.
Here are the seven invaluable entrepreneurship lessons shared by the space tech pioneer that can serve as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and engineers:
1. TEACHERS HAVE THE POWER TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF A STUDENT
Pawan Chandana believes that teachers hold the incredible power to shape the destinies of their students.
Drawing from his own experiences, he asserts that it was the dedicated educators in his life who played a pivotal role in steering him towards his passion for space exploration.
“I think because all the teachers here give great attention to their students, they actually have the potential to change the future,” he says.
2. ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR PASSIONS NO MATTER WHAT EVERYONE ELSE CHOOSES
For Chandana, one of the key lessons in his entrepreneurial journey is the significance of unwaveringly following your passions.
He encourages everyone to march to the beat of their own drum, “even if everybody else in the world is going in the opposite direction.”
Reflecting on his time at IIT, he recalls that while many of his peers were opting for secure government jobs, his heart was set on something far more audacious. He wanted to delve into the complexities of space exploration.
This unshakeable determination to follow his heart led him to embark on a remarkable journey, ultimately founding Skyroot Aerospace.
3. FUNDAMENTALS ARE THE KEY
Fundamental knowledge forms the bedrock of any successful venture, and Chandana believes that his solid understanding of fundamental principles paved his path to success.
He dedicated a substantial portion of his time to grasp the nitty-gritty of technology and business.
“For example, even Dhirubhai Ambani was very sound in business fundamentals. He’s not an MBA from Harvard or anything else, right?” he elaborates.
4. ALWAYS THINK BIG; NEVER HESITATE TO START BIG AND FINALLY, EXECUTE BIG
In the world of entrepreneurship, thinking big is the name of the game, according to Chandana. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs not to shy away from audacious endeavours simply because they seem daunting.
“When you think something or start something very big, I think you will have fewer competitors. And in fact, the world will conspire to make it happen because people would love to work with you, investors would love to invest in you, and I think the whole world will support you,” Pawan Chandana says.
Chandana encourages, “Always think big… We have only one life to solve big-impact problems.”
5. ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS A GREAT CAREER OPTION
Chandana is a fervent advocate for entrepreneurship. He believes it offers unparalleled freedom, satisfaction, and the ability to effect transformative change. According to him, it’s the ultimate career choice because it allows individuals to build, create jobs, and contribute significantly to their country’s progress.
He firmly asserts, “According to me the best career is option is entrepreneurship because it gives freedom, it gives independence. It gives an opportunity to build a country. It gives an opportunity to create employment.”
“If you want money, I think nothing better than entrepreneurship to give money. You want satisfaction? Nothing better. And if you want great impact, entrepreneurship is the way to go,” he adds.
6. CAREER IN SPACE-TECH IS A VERY REWARDING AND SATISFYING EXPERIENCE FOR EVERY ENGINEER
While entrepreneurship is an excellent path, Chandana recognises that it might not be for everyone. He himself spent six years at ISRO before venturing into the entrepreneurial realm.
He highlights space technology as a particularly promising field for engineers. Rockets, he explains, are marvels of automation, requiring expertise across various engineering disciplines.
“You know, it’s just two years since the space sector has opened up. I think it will be a great future for us in the next 10 years. And I strongly suggest exploring space as a career in future,” he says.
7. SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR THE YOUTH IN OUR COUNTRY
Chandana concludes his insightful discourse with an inspiring message for the youth of India that resonates with hope and possibility.
He believes that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning. He urges young minds to aim high and shape the future of their country.
Courtesy : IndiaToday