Published: 13 October 2025Science & Technology
Mission Drishti: GalaxEye's Multi-Sensor Satellite to Launch Q1 2026
GalaxEye Space, a Bengaluru-based startup founded by IIT Madras alumni, announced Mission Drishti — the world's first multi-sensor Earth Observation satellite integrating Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Optical sensors on a single platform. The 160 kg satellite with 1.5-metre resolution is scheduled for launch in Q1 2026.
The satellite's OptoSAR technology combines electro-optical and SAR sensors with AI processing onboard, enabling real-time, all-weather Earth observation. Applications span defence, disaster management, agriculture, infrastructure, and financial risk assessment. GalaxEye plans a constellation of 8-12 satellites by 2029 for near-real-time global imaging. The mission showcases India's growing private space sector under the liberalised space policy.
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionMedium
With reference to 'Mission Drishti' by GalaxEye Space, consider the following statements:
1. It is a multi-sensor Earth Observation satellite integrating SAR and optical sensors on a single platform.
2. The satellite has a launch mass of about 190 kg and provides about 1.8-metre imagery.
3. GalaxEye Space was founded by a team of engineers at IIT Madras.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation · Correct answer DAll three statements are correct after updating the technical details. GalaxEye describes Mission Drishti as an OptoSAR Earth-observation satellite combining SAR and MSI/optical sensing on one platform. GalaxEye states that it was founded by engineers at IIT Madras, and eoPortal records Mission Drishti's launch mass at about 190 kg.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mission Drishti and what is GalaxEye's multi-sensor satellite?
**Mission Drishti is GalaxEye's initiative to launch India's first commercial multi-sensor satellite**, combining **Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical imaging sensors** on a single platform. Scheduled for **Q1 2026 launch**, it will provide **all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation capabilities** for applications in agriculture, disaster management, maritime surveillance, and urban planning.
What is GalaxEye and what is its role in India's space startup ecosystem?
**GalaxEye is an IIT Madras-incubated deep tech space startup** specialising in **Earth observation satellite technology**. As part of India's post-ISRO space privatisation reforms, GalaxEye represents the **new generation of Indian space startups** leveraging IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) framework to build and launch commercial satellites.
What is Synthetic Aperture Radar SAR satellite technology and why is it important for India?
**Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a radar imaging technology that uses microwave signals to create high-resolution images regardless of cloud cover, smoke, or darkness**. For India, SAR is critically important for **monitoring monsoon floods, agricultural crop health, glacier changes, border surveillance, and disaster response** — all scenarios where optical satellites fail due to cloud cover.
When is GalaxEye Mission Drishti satellite scheduled to launch and from which rocket?
**GalaxEye's Mission Drishti is scheduled for launch in Q1 2026**, likely aboard **ISRO's PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)** or a commercial launch partner. The satellite will be placed in **Low Earth Orbit (LEO)** at an altitude optimised for high-resolution Earth observation, and will be the first Indian commercial satellite to combine SAR and optical imaging.
What is IN-SPACe and how does it support Indian commercial space companies like GalaxEye?
**IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) was established in 2020** as a single-window nodal agency to **authorize, promote, and support private space activities in India**. It enables companies like GalaxEye to **use ISRO facilities, launch vehicles, and spectrum allocations** for commercial satellite missions, replacing the earlier monopolistic ISRO framework.
