Mission Drishti Before Separation (Bottom Right)

Bengaluru-based GalaxEye has launched the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, marking a significant milestone for India’s emerging private space ecosystem. The satellite, Mission Drishti, was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg, California.

Weighing 190 kg, it is India’s largest privately developed Earth observation satellite and the first globally to integrate Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and electro-optical (EO) sensors on a single platform.

This combination enables all-weather, day-and-night imaging, overcoming long-standing limitations of conventional systems that struggle with cloud cover or low-light conditions. The dual-use satellite can support applications across agriculture, defence, disaster management, maritime monitoring, and infrastructure planning.

Pat from PM

The PM took to X and congratulated the start-up on the launch, “Mission Drishti by GalaxEye marks a major achievement in our space journey. The successful launch of the world’s first OptoSAR satellite and the largest privately-built satellite in India is a testament to our youth’s passion for innovation and nation-building. Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to the founders and the entire team of GalaxEye.”

The launch comes at a time when India is strengthening its position in the global geospatial intelligence market. With 29 active Earth observation satellites, according to ISRO, the country is increasingly seen as a reliable provider of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for both domestic and international users.

Industry stakeholders say the mission underscores the growing maturity of India’s private space sector.

Tangible outcomes

Pavan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, said sustained efforts in commercialisation and capacity-building over the past five to six years are now translating into tangible outcomes. Looking ahead, GalaxEye plans to scale up its satellite constellation over the next five years to strengthen Earth observation infrastructure and meet rising global demand for satellite data.

The company has also partnered with NewSpace India Limited to distribute its imagery globally, a move expected to expand access to high-resolution geospatial data across industries.

Published on May 3, 2026