Reflect Orbital buys two Skyroot Aerospace launches
The mirror-satellite startup booked two launches with India’s Skyroot Aerospace without disclosing price or flight dates.
- Reflect Orbital has booked one Vikram-1 launch and one Vikram-1U launch from Skyroot Aerospace.
- Vikram-1 is listed at 350 kg to LEO, while Vikram-1U is listed at 550 kg to LEO.
- The first Vikram-1U mission carries a 2027-Q1 date, but the contract value was not disclosed.
- Reflect Orbital plans in-space mirror satellites, including FCC-approved Eärendil-1.
- The purchase adds an Indian launch provider while SpaceX has stopped accepting Transporter rideshare reservations after 2029.
What happened
Reflect Orbital has booked two launches with Skyroot Aerospace, an emerging Indian launch provider. The agreement covers one Vikram-1 launch and one Vikram-1U launch.
What we know
The company did not disclose the contract’s value or when the two missions will fly.
Vikram-1’s debut is listed, and the vehicle was selected for the first launch. It is listed at 350 kg to LEO, while Vikram-1U is listed at 550 kg to LEO; the first Vikram-1U mission carries a 2027-Q1 date.
Reflect Orbital has FCC approval, and Eärendil-1 also has FCC approval. Eärendil-1 is described as the first in-space mirror-satellite.
The startup is pursuing on-demand sunlight from orbital mirrors and plans a constellation of ~50,000 mirrors. Its stated uses include lighting Earth after dark, adding illumination for solar farms, and supporting search-and-rescue work or nighttime concerts.
SpaceX has stopped accepting reservations for its Transporter rideshare program after 2029. Reflect Orbital is adding launch suppliers amid a launch-market crunch.
Why it matters
For readers tracking the lunar industry, this shows how a tight launch market can push customers to add new providers. Reflect Orbital is doing this while SpaceX’s Transporter rideshare program is not accepting reservations after 2029.
The purchase also places two launch contracts with an emerging Indian launcher while Reflect Orbital pursues mirror-satellite missions.
What's next
The first mission of Vikram-1U is listed for 2027-Q1.
What we are not sure about
- The contract value was not disclosed.
- Reflect Orbital did not disclose when the two purchased missions will fly.
- The 2027-Q1 date is attached to Vikram-1U’s first mission, not explicitly to a Reflect Orbital mission.
Sources
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