Technopark-based spacetech startup HEX20, which scripted history by building India's first rideshare satellite in the private sector, has entered into a Multi-Launch Agreement (MLA) with Skyroot Aerospace for its Earth-Observation constellation and in-orbit payload demonstration missions.
Headquartered in Hyderabad, Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched the country's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, Vikram-1, last month.
MB Aravind, Co-Founder & COO, HEX20, and Naga Bharath Daka, Co-founder & CTO, Skyroot Aerospace, signed the multi-launch agreement.
As part of the MLA, HEX20 has purchased three dedicated launches from Skyroot Aerospace. Beginning in Q4 2027, these missions will be launched aboard the Vikram series of launch vehicles. The launches will support HEX20’s spacecraft missions while also providing rideshare opportunities for third-party spacecraft.
The strategic tie-up brings together Skyroot’s launch capability and HEX20’s spacecraft engineering, payload integration, ground operations and mission-delivery capabilities. The two companies are creating a connected pathway from spacecraft development and launch to orbital operations and Earth-observation data services creating a new space ecosystem, designed, built and delivered from the world’s fastest growing space eco-system.
Amal Chandran, Chief Executive Officer of HEX20, said, “India’s private space ecosystem is reaching a stage where collaboration across the mission lifecycle will define the next phase of growth. Our partnership with Skyroot brings complementary capabilities together, allowing us to create stronger pathways to orbit and enable more ambitious missions for customers in India and around the world.”
HEX20 launched its second satellite KOYO (Kinetic Optical Yaw Observer) for Taiwan’s National Central University last month. KOYO was launched onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-17.
Naga Bharath Daka said, “We’re happy to partner with HEX20 as they expand their satellite missions and Earth observation capabilities. Enabling innovators like HEX20 with reliable and responsive access to space is what the Vikram series is built for, and we look forward to supporting their ambitions for years to come.”
HEX20 is Kerala’s first startup to partner with US launch provider SpaceX for the launch of its maiden satellite Nila, named after the culturally significant river in Kerala, as well as the Technopark building where it is located.
HEX20, which has its presence in US, UAE and Taiwan, builds payload-agnostic satellite platforms and offers satellite mission-as-a-service and payload hosting capabilities for in-orbit demonstrations to its customers.
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