India’s GalaxEye to Launch World’s First Multi-Sensor Earth Observation Satellite in 2026
Bengaluru-based spacetech startup GalaxEye announced it will launch ‘Mission Drishti,’ the world’s first multi-sensor Earth observation satellite, in Q1 2026. The 160-kg satellite represents India’s largest privately-built space asset and will offer the highest resolution imagery developed in the country.
Key Mission Details
- Launch Window: Q1 2026
- Weight: 160 kg
- Spatial Resolution: 1.5 meters
- Orbit Altitude: 500 km
- Constellation Plan: 8-12 satellites by 2029
Revolutionary Multi-Sensor Technology
GalaxEye has developed the world’s first Earth observation platform combining synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and high-resolution optical payloads on a single satellite. This breakthrough enables all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation capabilities previously unavailable.
“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,” said Suyash Singh, Co-founder and CEO, GalaxEye.
Comprehensive Applications
The satellite will support advanced geospatial analysis for multiple sectors including:
- Border surveillance and defence operations
- Disaster management and response
- Infrastructure and utilities monitoring
- Agricultural assessment
- Financial and insurance risk evaluation
Rigorous Testing and Validation
The Drishti satellite has successfully completed structural testing at ISRO’s UR Rao Satellite Centre, demonstrating its ability to withstand extreme space conditions including temperature variations, vibrations, and vacuum environments.
Each satellite in the planned constellation will function as a remote-sensing Earth observation system optimized for spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions to deliver high-precision imagery for global applications.
