Mission Drishti combines optical and SAR tech for 24/7 global monitoring. (Image: X) New Delhi: Bengaluru-based space start-up GalaxEye on Sunday launched its Mission Drishti satellite aboard a Falcon 9 rocket of SpaceX from California. The company said Mission Drishti is the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, combining electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar sensors on a single platform. Electro-optical sensors capture high-resolution images in clear conditions, while SAR enables imaging in all weather and lighting conditions. In a statement, founder and CEO Suyash Singh said, “With the satellite (Mission Drishti) now successfully in orbit, our immediate focus is on completing its commissioning. As we move through this phase, we are already witnessing strong global interest in the differentiated datasets enabled by our OptoSAR payload.” The company said the satellite is designed to address limitations of conventional systems and enable consistent data acquisition across varied environmental conditions. It will support applications in defence, agriculture, disaster management, maritime monitoring and infrastructure planning. Mission Drishti is expected to complement India’s broader Earth observation capabilities, including the 29 active satellites listed by Indian Space Research Organisation. The launch follows five years of indigenous research and development, along with environmental testing and performance validation. Director general of the Indian Space Association, Lt Gen A.K. Bhatt (Retd), said, “GalaxEye has achieved what only a few global players have, which is seamlessly combining optical and SAR capabilities on a single platform to enable persistent, all-weather intelligence.” “What stands out is not just the technology, but its broader impact on how downstream applications will increasingly define value in the space economy, particularly in Earth observation, where timely, decision-grade insights are critical,” he added. Union minister Jitendra Singh said the launch marked a milestone for India’s space sector. “The successful launch of the world's first OptoSAR satellite, and the largest privately-built satellite in the country, reflects the immense potential of our young innovators driving nation-building,” he said in a post on X. GalaxEye plans to expand Mission Drishti into a constellation of 10 satellites by 2030 to build a domestic Earth observation network. ( Source : Deccan Chronicle with agency inputs )