IIT Guwahati Partners with Skyroot Aerospace to Develop Space-Grade Components

In a significant boost to India’s private space technology ecosystem, IIT Guwahati has entered into a strategic collaboration with Skyroot Aerospace to jointly develop advanced space-grade components and strengthen indigenous aerospace capabilities.

The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two institutions, marking a step forward in deeper academia–industry cooperation in the space sector. The agreement, valid for an initial period of five years, is aligned with India’s long-term strategic priorities in space technology, advanced manufacturing, and innovation-driven research.

Under the collaboration, IIT Guwahati and Skyroot Aerospace will work together on funded research and development projects focused on next-generation space hardware. A major area of emphasis will be the design and development of space-grade components using advanced additive manufacturing technologies. This includes Directed Energy Deposition (DED) techniques such as Wire Arc DED and Laser Powder DED, which are increasingly being adopted globally for producing high-performance aerospace parts.

The partnership is expected to open up significant opportunities for students, researchers, and faculty members at IIT Guwahati. As part of the agreement, students may gain hands-on exposure to real-world space missions by testing subsidised research payloads aboard Skyroot’s Vikram-series launch vehicles. This practical engagement will allow aspiring engineers and scientists to experience the complete lifecycle of satellite missions, from design and testing to launch and deployment.

Beyond research, the collaboration also focuses strongly on talent development. The two organisations plan to roll out internships, joint research initiatives, thesis projects, and industry-oriented training programmes. These efforts aim to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application, ensuring students are industry-ready and equipped with skills relevant to India’s rapidly evolving space sector.

IIT Guwahati’s leadership highlighted that the institute sees immense value in partnering with innovation-driven startups like Skyroot Aerospace, which are playing a key role in shaping India’s commercial space landscape. The collaboration is expected to support advanced research, encourage indigenous high-technology ventures, and contribute meaningfully to national space missions.

From Skyroot Aerospace’s perspective, the partnership will help translate cutting-edge laboratory research into scalable, production-ready solutions for space applications. The company also plans to explore opportunities for its employees to pursue higher education and specialised training at IIT Guwahati, further strengthening knowledge exchange between academia and industry.

As India’s private space sector continues to expand rapidly, collaborations such as this underline a growing ecosystem where academic excellence and entrepreneurial innovation converge. The IIT Guwahati–Skyroot Aerospace partnership represents a strategic step toward building globally competitive space technologies while nurturing the next generation of Indian space engineers and researchers.