Mission Drishti

  • 17 Oct 2025

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India’s private space sector is set to achieve a major milestone with GalaxEye, a Bengaluru-based space-tech start-up, preparing to launch the world's first multi-sensor Earth observation (EO) satellite, Mission Drishti, in early 2026. The mission marks a significant step toward creating an advanced satellite constellation for real-time, high-precision geospatial intelligence.

About Mission Drishti

  • World’s first multi-sensor EO satellite combining Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and high-resolution optical imaging on a single platform.
  • Built by GalaxEye — one of India’s leading private space-tech start-ups.
  • India’s largest privately-built satellite and the highest-resolution satellite (1.5 m) developed in the country.
  • Mass: ~160 kg.
  • Underwent successful structural tests at ISRO’s U R Rao Satellite Centre, proving its ability to withstand harsh space conditions.
  • Mission Drishti is the first step in deploying a constellation of 8–12 satellites by 2029 (company target: 8–10 in next four years).

Key Features & Technological Significance

  • Dual Payload Technology: SAR + optical sensors enable:
    • Imaging in all weather conditions
    • Day and night coverage
    • High-precision, multi-layered data
  • High-resolution EO imagery optimized across spatial, spectral, and temporal dimensions.
  • Enables actionable multisource imaging intelligence—a capability currently unexplored globally.

According to the company, Mission Drishti opens a new era in satellite imaging by fusing multiple sensing technologies to provide real-time situational awareness.

Applications

Mission Drishti aims to strengthen high-end geospatial capabilities across national and commercial sectors:

Sector

Use-case

Defence& Security

Border surveillance, tactical intelligence

Disaster Management

Floods, landslides, cyclone & emergency monitoring

Infrastructure & Utilities

Structural health monitoring, urban planning

Agriculture

Crop monitoring, precision farming support

Finance & Insurance

Risk assessment, disaster claim validation

The mission aligns with rising global demand for accurate Earth observation data, especially amid geopolitical tensions and climate-driven emergencies.

Significance for India’s Space Ecosystem

  • Enhances India’s capabilities in commercial EO intelligence, traditionally dominated by the US & Europe.
  • Strengthens private-sector participation under India’s space reforms and IN-SPACe framework.
  • Potential to integrate AI and advanced imaging analytics, improving decision-making in governance and industry.
  • Boosts India’s aspiration to become a global space-technology provider.