GoKawiilReflect Orbital books two Skyroot launches for mirror satellite program
California startup Reflect Orbital has purchased two launches from India's Skyroot Aerospace, using the Vikram-1 and an upgraded Vikram-1U rocket, according to Payload Space. Reflect Orbital plans to deploy a constellation of roughly 50,000 orbital mirrors that reflect sunlight to the ground for power and illumination, with its first satellite set to fly on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare next year.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The deal gives Skyroot, whose Vikram-1 became the first privately built Indian rocket to reach orbit in July, an early international commercial customer, which could help validate India's growing private launch sector. Reflect Orbital's choice to look beyond US providers also points to concerns among satellite operators about a looming shortage of US launch capacity as SpaceX transitions away from the Falcon 9 toward the still-unproven Starship.
- Reflect Orbital bought two launches from Skyroot Aerospace, using Vikram-1 and Vikram-1U rockets.
- Skyroot's Vikram-1 became the first privately developed Indian rocket to reach orbit in July.
- Reflect Orbital envisions a 50,000-satellite mirror constellation to beam sunlight to Earth, starting with a Falcon 9 rideshare launch next year.
Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-10-16
Published there as: “Rocket Report: FAA eyes more Starbase traffic; India's Skyroot snares US customer”
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