The National Space Society invites you to the next Space Forum
Thursday, January 19, 2023, 9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EDT
Vikram-S Rocket:
A Discussion with the SKYROOT Staff
Skyroot Aerospace is the first privately held Indian rocket company to build and successfully complete a launch campaign, from the ground up, accomplishing the campaign from company inception in 2018 to a successful maiden launch on November 18th, 2022.
Skyroot’s success is one example of India’s vigorous space program. Through the establishment of intermediary organizations, the current administration is encouraging the private space sector to accelerate the innovative development of launchers and spacecraft. Skyroot Aerospace is focused on opening space for all, by pushing the boundaries of today’s technology.
During this informative space forum, NSS Board of Directors Member Madhu Thangavelu will lead a discussion with Sireesh Pallikonda, Business Development Lead for Skyroot Aerospace. They will discuss the inspiration that led to the company creation, the challenges and the hurdles that the staff faced throughout the build, test and integration phases, and the activities that led to the successful first launch as well as the payloads on the maiden test flight of the Vikram-S. They will also explore mission opportunities the future holds as SKYROOT evolves a stable of high-performance launchers for both domestic and global customers.
Don’t miss this exciting space forum that reflects the international nature of space exploration, development and settlement.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sireesh Pallikonda is currently working with Skyroot Aerospace as Global Business Head. Skyroot is an award winning startup developing small satellite launch vehicles, including the Vikram series of space launch vehicles. Sireesh previously worked with Nutrihub, IIMR as a program manager for Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. In 2014 he founded Waken India Network Pvt. Ltd., a social start-up for Profit Company allied in Swachh Bharat Mission and Digital India. Before starting his own enterprise, he worked with SES (Satellite operating company) as a business analyst. He also worked on a Mars mission project with NASA and Lockheed Martin. On the Mars-X mission, he worked on topics such as policy, economics, law, business and governance. Sireesh earned a Master’s degree in Space Management from the International Space University, a Master’s in International Business from the IESEG School of Management and a Master’s in Aerospace Design from IIT, Madras, India.
Madhu Thangavelu conducts the graduate Space Exploration Architecture Studio in the Department of Astronautical Engineering within the Viterbi School of Engineering and teaches Space Architecture in the School of Architecture at the University of Southern California. He is the author or coauthor of several publications relating to Space Architecture including a book – The Moon: Resources, Future Development and Settlement. Madhu is on the faculty of the International Space University, an international organization that trains space professionals around the globe. Madhu is an active member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and former Vice Chair of Education for the Los Angeles Section of the AIAA. He is on the board of directors of the National Space Society and the NSS Vice President for India region. Madhu is the North American coordinator of activities for the Moon Village Association based in Vienna, Austria.
Register today to reserve your seat and ask your questions. Use the link below.
Register no later than January 19 at 8 pm EDT
