Low Earth Orbit (LEO) – Interplanetary.tv

The Rise of Navneet Singh’s Kepler Aerospace: Building India’s New Space Backbone

Navneet Singh, founder and CEO of Kepler Aerospace, is quietly building India’s new space backbone through small satellites and space-grade components. Founded in the mid-2010s, Kepler focuses on the less visible aspects of modern space missions, such as reliable small satellites, precision parts, and custom electronics. Under Singh’s leadership, Kepler has positioned itself as a critical partner in India’s strategic space ecosystem, focusing on in-house development and investing heavily in materials R&D. The company is working on building an integrated ecosystem, including satellites, ground control infrastructure, and AI-powered analytics platforms, with clients including defense agencies, universities, and startups. Kepler’s quiet evolution has earned it a powerful reputation, enabling India’s space economy to scale, secure, and self-rely.

S. Ravichandran: The Force Behind Agnikul Cosmos

Srinath Ravichandran, an aerospace engineer, co-founded Agnikul Cosmos in 2017 to address the global need for flexible, affordable, and on-demand access to space. The company focuses on modular, customizable launch vehicles designed for small satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). The flagship rocket, Agnibaan, is a two-stage vehicle capable of carrying up to 100 kg to LEO. Agnikul’s engines are manufactured quickly using additive manufacturing (3D printing), reducing time-to-launch and mission costs. The company has achieved milestones such as raising ₹23.4 crore in pre-Series A funding, successfully testing Agnilet, and raising $11 million in Series A funding. Agnikul Cosmos is also the first private company to sign a framework agreement with ISRO and IN-SPACe for access to launchpads, testing facilities, and technical guidance.

Inspiring The Next Generation of Indian Explorers (Space People)

Indian Air Force test pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, born in Lucknow in 1985, was selected as a Gaganyaan astronaut and pilot of Axiom Mission 4 Ax-4, marking India’s space resurgence after a 41-year hiatus. Shukla graduated from NDA with a BSc in Computer Science and an M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering. He is married to Dr. Kamna Shubha Shukla, a dentist. She has known Shubhanshu since having been classmates since primary school, maintaining a close friendship that developed into marriage. The couple has a son together. His journey underlines India’s new phase in space ambitions.