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.
- Aerospace Engineering
- AI-powered analytics
- Civilian innovation
- Customizable systems
- Defense-grade engineering
- DRDO
- Ground station systems
- Indigenous satellite platforms
- ISRO
- Kepler Aerospace
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Materials R&D
- Materials science
- Modular technology
- National security
- Navneet Singh
- Private space sector
- Proprietary satellite platform
- Radiation-hardened electronics
- Research institutions
- Satellite Components
- Satellite fleet services
- Satellite technology
- Scalable solutions
- Small Satellites
- Space-grade components
- Strategic space ecosystem
- Systems design
- Technical independence
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.
- 3D Printing
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aerospace Engineer
- Aerospace Startup
- Agnibaan
- Agnikul Cosmos
- Agnilet
- Co-Founder
- Fully Integrated Rocket Engine
- IIT Madras
- IN-SPACe
- ISRO
- Launchpads
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Make in India.
- Mission Control Center
- Modular Launch Vehicles
- Orbital Flexibility
- Private Launchpad
- Small Satellites
- Space Passion
- Srinath Ravichandran
- Technology Miniaturization
- Testing Facilities
- Wall Street
Pawan Kumar Chandana: Fueling India’s Private Space Dream
India’s space ambitions are soaring, with Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-Founder, CEO, and CTO of Skyroot Aerospace, leading the way. Chandana, a former ISRO scientist and IIT Kharagpur alumnus, has been instrumental in shaping the country’s position in the global space race. With the motto “Open Space for All,” Skyroot aims to democratize space exploration. The company has raised US$4.3 million since its inception and has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Dhruva Space. The Department of Space has signed an agreement with Skyroot Aerospace for access to ISRO’s facilities and expertise for testing sub-systems and systems of launch vehicles. Skyroot has developed 3D-printed engines, cryogenic engines powered by LNG and LOX, modular rocket stages, and all-composite structures for lightweight, high-performance rockets. The company is now gearing up for its next milestone — the Vikram-I orbital launch.
- 3D Printing
- Aerospace Innovation
- Avionics
- Carbon-Composites
- Cryogenic Engines
- Engineering Excellence
- Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Funding Rounds
- Future of Space.
- Hyderabad
- Indian Space Program
- ISRO
- Launch Vehicles
- National Missions
- Pawan Kumar Chandana
- Private Space Industry
- Rocket Propulsion
- Skyroot Aerospace
- Small Satellites
- Space Exploration
- Space Policy
- Space Startups
- Space technology
- Suborbital Flight
- Vikram Series