When you think of India’s private space industry, a few names instantly pop up in mind, but there’s a new and quite young player making global headlines. A Bengaluru-based startup has managed to achieve something that even some of the biggest global players haven’t. GalaxEye has designed the world’s first multi-sensor Earth Observation satellite.
Before getting a taste of space, Mission Drishti has already passed through examinations at ISRO’s U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC). The satellite was tested on its structural and thermal capabilities, including temperature fluctuations, vibrations, and vacuum environments.
Mission Drishti: India’s next leap in Space tech
The company, GalaxEye, announced on Monday that it will launch Mission Drishti, its first Earth Observation (EO) satellite, in 2026. The historic first, under the leadership of Satya Chakravarthy, Suyash Singh, Denil Chawda, Kishan Thakkar, Pranit Mehta and Rakshit Bhatt, is scheduled for the first quarter of next year. The launch will also mark the beginning of its ambitious plan to build an entire constellation of satellites within the next four years.
“With Mission Drishti, we are unlocking a new era of actionable data through space exploration. For the first time in the world, we are deploying a satellite that combines multiple sensing technologies on a single platform, enabling us to observe the Earth in ways that were previously impossible,” Suyash Singh, co-founder & CEO, GalaxEye, said in a statement as per Business Review.
The satellite possesses the ability to combine multiple sensing technologies on a single platform. According to the company, when launched successfully, this 1.5 meter resolution satellite will help in conducting advanced geospatial research across sectors, including the government, defence and industries.
India’s largest privately built satellite
“This mission places India firmly on the global space map and creates a system that turns space technology into intelligence that businesses, governments, and communities can rely on,” the CEO said.
Mission Drishti is not only the largest privately developed satellite in India but also the country’s highest-resolution satellite to date, and it weighs around 160 kilograms. The company also plans to deploy between eight to ten satellites over the next four years. “With geopolitical tensions rising and the demand for accurate real-time intelligence growing, next-generation imaging with AI integration becomes crucial,” Singh explained. “We’re already seeing strong interest from defence, agriculture, and financial sectors.”
A small Indian startup, now creating a system that has the potential to power decisions across industries worldwide, shows how India’s private space ecosystem is maturing fast.