Pawan Chandana TIME100 Next 2026 recognition has brought global attention to the IIT Kharagpur alumnus and Skyroot Aerospace co-founder. Chandana completed a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur in 2012 before joining the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as a scientist. He later co-founded Skyroot Aerospace in 2018 with fellow former ISRO engineer Naga Bharath Daka. The Hyderabad-based company developed the Vikram series of rockets, including Vikram-S, which became India’s first privately developed suborbital rocket in 2022. In July 2026, Skyroot’s Vikram-I successfully reached orbit from Indian soil, marking a major milestone for India’s private space sector. TIME included Chandana in its 2026 TIME100 Next list, which recognises emerging leaders across fields. His recognition follows Skyroot’s progress in developing privately built launch vehicles and expanding India’s commercial space capabilities.
Pawan Chandana TIME100 Next 2026: IIT to Skyroot CEO
