Skyroot, Brazil's Concert Technologies MoU on 100-kg launcher

13 November 2026 · English

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Topics: Space Science · UPSC Prelims · TNPSC · SSC · Current Affairs

Current affairs of 13 November 2026 (Shanmugam IAS Academy) – explained for UPSC, TNPSC and other competitive exams

News

Hyderabad-based private space company Skyroot Aerospace has signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Concert Technologies, a member of the consortium of Brazil's Micro Launcher Program (ANI, 12 Nov 2026). The aim is to explore jointly developing a launch vehicle able to carry at least 100 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO); it is not yet a firm development contract. The vehicle would sit between Brazil's micro-launchers (up to 40 kg) and Skyroot's larger Vikram family, and equatorial launch opportunities will also be explored. The MoU was signed in October 2026 at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Antalya, Türkiye, by Concert Space CEO Rafael Mordente. Brazilian Space Agency president Marco Antonio Chamon and Brazilian astronaut-senator Marcos Pontes were present. Separate agreements will be needed for investment, equipment supply and commercialisation. Founded in 2018, Skyroot's Vikram-S became India's first private rocket to reach space in 2022, and its Vikram-1, India's first private orbital rocket, reached orbit on its maiden flight on 18 July 2026 (Reuters).

Key facts for the exam

Background

• Under the 2020 space-sector reforms, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) was set up as a single-window body to promote and authorise private space activities; it is headquartered in Ahmedabad. ISRO's commercial arm is NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
• India–Brazil space cooperation spans over two decades. On 28 February 2021 ISRO's PSLV-C51 launched 'Amazonia-1', Brazil's first indigenous Earth-observation satellite, from Sriharikota; it was NSIL's first dedicated commercial launch. Both countries are BRICS members.
• Earth's rotational speed is greatest at the equator, so launching eastward from near it gives a rocket extra velocity. Brazil's Alcântara launch centre (Maranhão state) lies very close to the equator. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) generally extends up to about 2,000 km altitude; geostationary orbit (GEO) is about 35,786 km.
• Skyroot's Vikram rockets are named after Dr Vikram Sarabhai, father of India's space programme. On 27 November 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Skyroot's 'Infinity' campus in Hyderabad.

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Sources: ANI – aninews.in (12 Nov 2026, 'India, Brazil join hands to develop satellite launch vehicle'); News On AIR – newsonair.gov.in (18 Jul 2026, Vikram-1 'Mission Aagaman'); ISRO – isro.gov.in (PSLV-C51/Amazonia-1); IN-SPACe – inspace.gov.in (Skyroot authorisations); Reuters (Vikram-1, 18 Jul 2026). Compiled by Shanmugam IAS Academy.

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