Pawan Kumar Chandana, born in 1991 (around 34 years old) in Hyderabad, Telangana, is one of the rising stars in India’s space technology world.
He’s best known as the co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, the company that made history by launching India’s first private rocket, Vikram‑S, into space in 2022.
Before starting Skyroot, Pawan worked as a rocket engineer at ISRO, India’s space agency, where he was involved in building some of the country’s most powerful rockets, like GSLV Mk‑III and SSLV.
Keep on reading Pawan Kumar Chandana’s Wiki, and explore more details about his wife, family, education, career, achievements, net worth, and facts.
Pawan Kumar Chandana Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Pawan Kumar Chandana |
| Profession | Aerospace Scientist; Space Entrepreneur; Co‑founder, CEO & CTO of Skyroot Aerospace |
| Age | 34 years old |
| Date of Birth | 1991 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
| Current Address | Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
Pawan Kumar Chandana Wife
Pawan Kumar Chandana had tied the knot with Nirupama Chandana on October 10, 2019.
Their wedding took place in a traditional ceremony attended by close family and friends.
More details about Nirupama and their wedding are yet to be updated.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Nirupama Chandana |
Pawan Kumar Chandana Family
Pawan Kumar Chandana was born into a supportive and well-grounded family in Hyderabad, Telangana, in 1991. His journey into space technology was likely shaped by the values and encouragement he received at home.
More details about his parents are yet to be updated.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Yet to be updated Mother: Yet to be updated |
Pawan Kumar Chandana Education
Pawan Kumar Chandana completed his school education in Hyderabad, Telangana, where he was born and raised.
The exact name of the school is yet to be updated. During his school years, he developed a deep interest in space and engineering, which later shaped his career.
Higher Education
Pawan went on to study at one of India’s most prestigious colleges, IIT Kharagpur (Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur).
He enrolled in a Dual Degree Program, which allowed him to complete both his undergraduate and postgraduate studies together.
He earned a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering and an M.Tech in Thermal Science and Engineering from the same institute.
| School | Yet to be updated |
| Alma Mater | IIT Kharagpur |
| Highest Qualification | B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering & M.Tech in Thermal Science & Engineering |
Pawan Kumar Chandana Career
After completing his dual degree from IIT Kharagpur, Pawan joined ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), India’s national space agency.
He worked as a rocket design engineer at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), where he focused on building launch vehicles.
During his time at ISRO, Pawan contributed to some of India’s most important rocket projects. He was part of the team behind the GSLV Mk‑III, which is India’s heaviest rocket, used for missions like Chandrayaan-2.
He also worked on the S200 solid booster, a powerful part of India’s launch system, and SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle), which is designed for quick and low-cost satellite launches.
His innovative thinking and problem-solving skills earned him multiple internal awards at ISRO.
One of his award-winning works involved developing better ways to isolate vibrations in launch vehicles, which improves their safety and performance.
Founding Skyroot Aerospace (2018 – Present)
In 2018, after gaining valuable experience at ISRO, Pawan made a bold decision. He left his government job and teamed up with his colleague Naga Bharath Daka to start a private space company, Skyroot Aerospace.
Their dream was to make space access faster, cheaper, and more flexible by building launch vehicles designed for the private sector.
Skyroot started with a small team and big ambitions. Pawan led the technology side as CTO while also managing the company as CEO.
He brought in modern tools like 3D printing and carbon composite materials to build lightweight, low-cost rocket engines.
Making History with Vikram-S (2022)
In November 2022, under Pawan’s leadership, Skyroot launched Vikram-S, India’s first privately developed rocket.
It was a major moment in the history of Indian space exploration. The launch proved that private companies could now build and fly rockets in India.
Vikram-S reached an altitude of nearly 90 km and showed that Skyroot’s technology worked perfectly.
The mission was not only a technical success but also a turning point for India’s space startup ecosystem.
The Road Ahead
Now, Pawan is leading the development of Vikram-I, a larger and more powerful rocket that will carry real customer satellites into space.
Skyroot has already signed deals with clients and is planning regular commercial launches.
| Year | Role | Organization |
| 2014 | Joined as an Engineer (Rocket Design) | ISRO – Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre |
| 2014–2018 | Worked on GSLV Mk-III, S200 booster, SSLV | ISRO |
| 2018 | Co-founded Skyroot Aerospace | Skyroot Aerospace |
| 2019–Present | CEO & CTO, leading tech and business | Skyroot Aerospace |
| 2022 | Led launch of Vikram-S (India’s 1st private rocket) | Skyroot Aerospace |
| 2025 (Planned) | Vikram-I orbital launch | Skyroot Aerospace |
Awards and Achievements
Pawan Kumar Chandana has received several prestigious awards for his innovation, leadership, and contributions to India’s private space sector.
| Year | Award Name | Reason |
| 2016–2017 | ISRO Internal Innovation Awards | For advanced vibration isolation and fastening systems in launch vehicles |
| 2020 | Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 | Recognized as one of Asia’s top young innovators in Industry, Manufacturing & Energy |
| 2020 | National Startup Award – Space Sector | Awarded to Skyroot Aerospace for innovation in private space launch systems |
| 2022 | India Today’s Top 100 Young Achievers | For leading India’s private space revolution through Skyroot Aerospace |
| 2022 | National Award for Technology Startups | Honored for breakthrough achievements in rocket propulsion and private space tech |
| 2023 | Entrepreneur of the Year – Aerospace | Given for leadership in launching Vikram-S and shaping India’s private space industry |
Pawan Kumar Chandana Net Worth, Salary
Details of Pawan’s estimated net worth and annual income are yet to be updated.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Pawan Kumar Chandana Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Pawan Kumar Chandana stands at about 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall. He has black hair and black eyes.
His overall look reflects a grounded and focused professional, dedicated more to science and innovation than the spotlight. Other physical details, such as weight or body measurements, are yet to be updated.
| Height | In centimetres: 175 cm In meters: 1.75 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 9 inches |
| Weight | In kg: Yet to be updated In lbs: Yet to be updated |
| Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
Pawan Kumar Chandana X, LinkedIn
 @pawan_k_chandana | |
| X |  @pawankchandana |
 @pawan kumar chandana |
Interesting Facts About Pawan Kumar Chandana
- Pawan Kumar Chandana was only in his 20s when he co-founded Skyroot Aerospace.
- He turned down a stable job at ISRO to chase his dream of building private rockets.
- Pawan’s work helped build India’s most powerful rocket, GSLV Mk-III.
- He believes 3D printing is the future of rocket building.
- Pawan Kumar named the Vikram rocket series after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India’s space program.
- He’s often called “India’s Elon Musk” by startup and tech communities.
- Chandana prefers working behind the scenes and rarely appears in media interviews.
FAQs
Who is Pawan Kumar Chandana?
Pawan Kumar Chandana is the co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, known for building India’s first private rocket.
What is his educational background?
Pawan Kumar Chandana completed a dual degree B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering and M.Tech in Thermal Science from IIT Kharagpur.
Is Pawan Kumar Chandana married?
Yes, Pawan Kumar Chandana is married to Nirupama Chandana. They got married on October 10, 2019.
What was Skyroot’s first rocket?
Skyroot launched Vikram-S in 2022, which was India’s first rocket developed by a private company.
Did he work at ISRO?
Yes, Pawan Kumar Chandana worked as a rocket engineer at ISRO for about 6 years before starting Skyroot.
