HYDERABAD: On a day Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission finally launched, carrying Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts to space, Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace and US-based Axiom Space said they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on advancing space exploration, particularly enhancing access to low earth orbit (LEO).Axiom Space will explore utilising Skyroot’s capabilities for sending groundbreaking research payloads, orbital data center nodes, and other future missions to its under-construction Axiom Station as well as independently to LEO, the two players said in a joint statement. The two companies will collaborate to cater to not just the Indian market but also international markets.Skyroot Aerospace, which was the first private player in South Asia to successfully send a rocket to space with Vikram-S sub-orbital launch vehicle in November 2022, is gearing up to send its first orbital rocket – Vikram-1 — into space later this year.On Wednesday, Axiom Space launched Ax-4, marking India’s second shot at human spaceflight and the country’s first mission on board the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is also being seen as foundational for the construction and operation of its Axiom Station as the company tries to develop a diverse global supply chain through partnerships with companies like Skyroot Aerospace.“Enabling greater and equitable access to space, be it for research institutes, startups, or national agencies, is the guiding mantra at Skyroot,” said Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder and CEO, Skyroot Aerospace.“As we begin realizing this vision with the upcoming maiden launch of Vikram-1, the partnership with Axiom Space builds an opportunity to explore integrated launch and orbital solutions that will shape humanity’s future in space,” Chandana added.Axiom Space CEO Tejpaul Bhatia said: “Since the day I visited Skyroot’s facility two years ago, I knew our companies had to work together to define humanity’s future in space. With our shared vision to transform access to space, we look forward to collaborating with Skyroot to serve the growing space ecosystem in India and globally.”