New Delhi: Hailing from the private space sector, Skyroot Aerospace has signed a multi-launch contract with HEX20, a space technology firm, to move forward with India’s mission to launch its own rockets. The agreement has come at a timely moment for Skyroot as its Vikram-1 rocket successfully completed its orbital mission last month. The deal arrives just after the successful orbital launch of Skyroot’s Vikram-1 rocket last month, which puts the Hyderabad-based company on the right foot for the commercial space launch market.
As per the deal, Skyroot will conduct three dedicated missions on their Vikram-series rockets for HEX20. The missions are expected to start in the Q4 for 2027 are to be the demonstration missions for Earth-observation and in-orbit payloads.
A major opportunity after Vikram-1 success
It’s important that the deal is done at the right time for Skyroot. The company has now successfully proven that its Vikram-1 rocket can make it to orbit, alleviating one of the major risks for any new private rocket company.
A successful orbital mission for commercial customers is a key enabler to build confidence. Launch providers need reliable missions, appropriate rockets and predictable launch schedules to launch their satellites into space. The recent achievement may, therefore, prove to be a step towards gaining potential customers in the near future.
The HEX20 deal will also provide Skyroot with something of added value: an assured line of future missions. The company no longer relies on single shots, but has several missions planned with the same customer.
HEX20 could help Skyroot build launch experience
HEX20 is related to the work on satellite and space technology, such as satellite platform and space systems for small satellites. In addition, the company has participated in partnerships with various organizations in the space field.
In the case of Skyroot, having a partner like HEX20 to fill their need for experience with commercial payloads and dedicated missions may be beneficial. That may be significant as Skyroot strives to make more launches.
It’s also a history shared by the two companies. Skyroot, HEX20 and Japanese lunar company ispace inked an agreement to develop the lunar orbital transportation services in the Indo-Pacific region in 2023.
What could happen next?
The Skyroot’s success in this deal will depend considerably on their reliability, launch speed and price. The three HEX20 missions could bolster its reputation, and help it secure contracts from other satellite firms, if the project is successful.
The firm’s listing has already gained the attention of investors. In May 2026, the company got its foot in the door as the first Space-tech unicorn in India, with a valuation at the time estimated at $1.1 billion after raising $60 million.
However, it is not looking only at the competition it faces in the national market for small-satellite launch vehicles. It’s not just competition it’s facing in the national market for small-satellite launch vehicles though, it’s competition from around the world at Skyroot. Multiple successful launches will need to happen before the firm will be deemed reliable for commercial launches.
Overall, HEX20 seems to be more than just another contract for Skyroot. It affords the company an opportunity to make Vikram-1 a consistent commercial venture. The partnership with Skyroot could prove significant if the missions are met successfully from 2027, as it marks a major stride towards Skyroot being one of the country’s premier private space launch companies.
