Two French firms ink deals with Skyroot for satellite launch services

Two French businesses signed agreements with Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace on Tuesday to launch their satellite constellation atop its indigenously produced Vikram-I rocket early next year. Promethee Earth Intelligence, located in France, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Skyroot for satellite launch services onboard Vikram rockets for the Japetus earth observation constellation, according to a Skyroot release.

In a separate trilateral agreement, Expleo of France will provide reconfigurable software for French business ConnectSAT's Internet of Things (IoT) satellite, which will be launched on Skyroot's Vikram-I rocket. ConnectSAT is developing the OSIRIS satellite constellation for a variety of social applications as well as monitoring and surveillance solutions.

On Tuesday, officials from the French businesses paid a visit to Skyroot's facilities in Hyderabad, where the MoUs were signed. According to Promethee CEO Olivier Piepsz, 50% of its satellites have special orbital requirements, making Skyroot's Vikram launch vehicles a perfect candidate for delivering a portion of their satellite network.

Skyroot co-founder Pawan Chandana stated that Skyroot's space launches are becoming the preferred option for worldwide operators looking to develop futuristic satellite constellations. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's July visit to France, Promethee's Piepsz and Chandana conducted exploratory talks about a prospective cooperation. "If we cultivate the NewSpace ecosystems together in a mutually beneficial collaborative mode, we will emerge stronger in France, stronger in India, and more competitive in global markets," Mr. Piepsz stated.

The trilateral agreement was signed by Abdoulahi Ben Moussa Dia, CEO of ConnectSAT, Frédérique Rebout, Director Alliances & Partners at Expleo, and Chandana, CEO of Skyroot. The Vikram-I orbital rocket will be launched by Skyroot early next year. The Vikram rocket series features cutting-edge technology like as 3D printing, carbon composite bodies, and a modular structure that can accommodate different space launch requirements and orbital deployments.