CHINA ROCKET STARTUP
India's deeptech dream remains import dependent for critical components
The founder of a spacetech startup developing rockets said geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine war, disrupted the supply of critical components. “Parts that were earlier available within weeks are now taking months to arrive, making it harder for startups to plan development and testing schedules,” the founder said, requesting anonymity.
Elon Musk wants to merge SpaceX and Tesla: Here's what to know
Elon Musk said this week that SpaceX and Tesla have formed special committees to study a merger of his two biggest companies. Musk cautioned that a merger is not certain.
Sat Sovereign, Not Satrapi: Why India can't get locked in with one side in satcom battle
Elon Musk argues that Starlink can benefit underserved rural areas of India through improved connectivity. The ongoing debate surrounding satellite communications in India is focused on pricing and market control. Countries are competing for access to low-Earth orbit frequencies and altitudes, which are limited resources. India has an opportunity to create a non-aligned satcom policy to ensure equitable access.
Skyroot eyes funding boost; MDR deferment cheers D2C brands
Happy Thursday! Skyroot is eyeing a big funding round as it gears up to scale rocket production. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
India first, orbit next: Skyroot eyes $300 million dual valuation plan
Skyroot is in talks with Indian family offices to raise $150 million at a valuation of $2.3-2.5 billion, while the company is seeking to mop up the same amount from global investors such as General Catalyst, General Atlantic and Silicon Valley venture fund Benchmark at a higher valuation of up to $3 billion, the people said.
ET Startup Awards 2026 | Govt backing and patient capital propel India's leap into AI and chips: Satyan Gajwani
Gajwani said the ecosystem, once driven by fintech, food delivery, SaaS, commerce, quick commerce and direct-to-consumer brands, was witnessing founders focused on deep, proprietary technology. Indian startups are now building semiconductor chips, AI, robotics, clean energy technologies and new materials, while investors are shaping funds, willing to wait longer for these companies to mature.
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"These are facts Elon": Zoho cofounder Sridhar Vembu takes on Musk's claim of Starlink facing license hurdles
Sridhar Vembu responded to Elon Musk's claims regarding regulatory obstacles for Starlink in India. Vembu highlighted India's competitive economy and low data prices benefiting consumers. He emphasized that the Indian government does not tolerate monopolies in the industry. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that multiple companies, including Starlink, are seeking licenses. Security assessments are ongoing for all license applicants before commercial operations can begin.
Too early to write India off in the global AI race: Andreessen Horowitz’s Raghu Raghuram
India has few frontier AI model companies and limited computing capacity, but according to a16z managing partner Raghu Raghuram, the country should not be written off. In an interview with ET, Raghuram said Indian startups could first build services on open-weight models before eventually developing their own.
What to know about Europe's push to compete in space and what it still can't do without America
European nations convened a summit to address competition in the global space market. Concerns about reliance on foreign satellite services drive Europe's sovereign capability push. Recent events highlighted the critical need for independent space infrastructure and launch capacity. A new European rocket launch offers a promising step towards greater autonomy. Future decisions will shape Europe's role in crewed spaceflight and orbital independence.
Silicon Valley-backed Covenant unveils low-cost, mass-producible cruise missile
Covenant has launched a new heavy-payload cruise missile, Anthem, aimed at revolutionizing warfare strategies. This cutting-edge missile focuses on rapid and economical mass production for extensive use in battlegrounds. With an ambitious timeline to equip the U.S. Army by 2027, Covenant has garnered substantial financial backing and is ramping up its production resources to meet this goal.
Astrobase in talks to raise $40-50 million led by Peak XV at $300 million valuation: sources
The talks come weeks after Astrobase unveiled Everest, an 80-tonne-class, 800 kN full-flow staged combustion (FFSC) rocket engine, in what the company described as India's first such engine. The engine uses liquid oxygen and methane, and is being developed for reusable launch vehicles.
India's space ambitions face over 4x higher rocket launch costs than US, study shows
India faces a substantial cost gap with the United States for launching payloads. A recent study estimates India's cost at over $13,000 per kilogram by 2025. This contrasts with the United States' estimated cost of $3,225 per kilogram. The study highlights scale and experience as key factors for reducing launch expenses. India must increase launch frequency and build capabilities to compete globally.
China's LandSpace lands rocket booster; joins SpaceX and Blue Origin with reusable tech
The ability to return, recover and reuse a booster is crucial to reduce cost and make it easier to put satellites into orbit, turning space exploration into a commercially viable business similar to civil aviation.
Skyroot Aerospace joins small group of companies capable of orbital launches
The mission, called Aagaman, marks the culmination of years of development for the startup, which had earlier flown the sub-orbital Vikram-S in 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Skyroot team shortly after the launch, calling it proof of India's push toward self-reliance in space technology.
SpaceX playbook set to fuel China's IPO ambitions but tech gap persists
In China, the initial public offering was watched as a benchmark for a younger industry eager to go public. But the frenzy masks a fundamental gap, with firms going public ahead of meaningful revenue and without the proven technology that underpins SpaceX's economics, a mismatch analysts say will cap valuations.
Space One's third rocket failure leaves Japan without commercial launch capability
Japan's Space One rocket failed its third launch attempt on Thursday. The Kairos rocket experienced a flight termination shortly after lift-off. This setback impacts Japan's goal of establishing a domestic satellite launch industry. The country aims to reduce its dependence on foreign rockets. This is crucial for its growing space security needs.
China's LandSpace targets $1 billion IPO in reusable rocket tech push
Chinese rocket firm LandSpace is planning a massive IPO. The company aims to raise over a billion dollars. This funding will boost its production and technology for reusable rockets. LandSpace recently conducted a reusable rocket test. This move positions it to compete with global players.
China's second attempt at completing a reusable rocket test fails
China's Long March 12A rocket experienced a setback on its first flight. Its first stage was not recovered successfully. This marks China's second attempt at rocket booster recovery. The country is striving to match SpaceX's reusable rocket capabilities. This technology is vital for reducing launch costs and advancing satellite deployment.
Honda conducts surprise reusable rocket test, aims spaceflight by 2029
Honda has achieved a successful launch and landing test of its reusable rocket prototype. This marks a significant step towards their goal of suborbital spaceflight by 2029. The test took place at Honda's facility in Taiki, Japan. Honda aims to contribute to satellite launches and related services. Other companies like SpaceX and Toyota are also investing in reusable rocket technology.
Japanese startup attempts Moon landing
A Japanese startup will attempt a tricky lunar touchdown on Friday with an unmanned lander named Resilience, two years after its first try which crashed onto the Moon's surface. The startup, ispace,17 am Japan time on Friday (1917 GMT Thursday) with the potentially nail-biting attempt streamed on its website.
Space startups see funding growth as investors bet on capex-intensive ventures, report says
Space startups raised $1.9 billion in Q3, marking an 18% increase from last year, driven by investments in rocket launchers and satellite manufacturers. The largest deal was $230 million for World Labs. The United States surpassed China in space startup funding, anticipating increased competition.
China startup's kerosene-powered rocket fails test flight
China's Deep Blue Aerospace announced that its reusable kerosene-fuelled rocket, Nebula-1, failed to complete a high-altitude vertical recovery test flight in Inner Mongolia. The rocket successfully completed 10 out of 11 tasks but crashed during the final stage due to a landing system failure, causing significant damage.
Japan's Space One Kairos rocket explodes on inaugural flight
Japan's Space One's Kairos rocket exploded at the Kii peninsula launch pad. The cause is unknown. Space One plans to offer space courier services. Rocket Lab's Electron small rockets have been used by Japanese companies. JAXA successfully launched the H3 rocket.
India tries to boost space startups, close gap with China
While the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is one of the top national space agencies in the world, the private sector was slow to develop because the government allowed only a few vendors and manufacturers to participate.
China LandSpace's methane-powered rocket sends satellites into orbit
Several private Chinese rocket startups have lined up test or commercial launches, aiming to prepare their products for the increasing demand in China's expanding commercial space industry, amid growing competition to form a constellation of satellites as an alternative to Elon Musk's Starlink.
China's OrienSpace could be valued at $823 million in new fundraising
Chinese commercial rocket developer OrienSpace is set to be valued at about 6 billion yuan ($823 million) in a new fundraising exercise ahead of capital injection, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
India is taking on China in the $447 billion space economy
The space sector is important for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" campaign, aimed at positioning the economy as a leading destination for technology innovation. However, India still has far to go before it catches China. As of March 2020, China owned 13.6% of all earth-orbiting satellites, compared to 2.3% for India.
After successful mission, India's first private rocket company Skyroot Aerospace looks to slash satellite costs
Thousands of small satellite launches are planned in coming years as cos build out networks to deliver broadband services like SpaceX's Starlink and to power applications like tracking supply chains or monitoring offshore oil rigs.
Top political, business leaders discuss startups
As part of the Viva Summit, over 5,000 startups will showcase themselves to leaders, investors and academicians, as per the event’s website.
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