In a major breakthrough for India’s private space sector, Bengaluru-based startup GalaxEye Space has successfully launched its flagship Mission Drishti satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The 190-kg satellite, hailed as the world’s first OptoSAR imaging spacecraft and the largest privately developed satellite in India, lifted off from Space Launch Complex-4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base at around 12:30 PM IST.
Separation Confirmed!
The world's first OptoSAR Satellite is now in space.
Made in India for the world.Go Drishti! Go @GalaxEye! Go India! pic.twitter.com/tNKFKwvlK6
— GalaxEye (@GalaxEye) May 3, 2026
This mission marks a significant milestone not just for GalaxEye, an IIT Madras-incubated startup founded in 2020 by a group of young engineers, but also for India’s push toward self-reliance in advanced Earth observation technologies. Mission Drishti introduces a pioneering “OptoSAR” system, combining a high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensor with a 7-band multispectral imager (MSI) on a single platform, enabling enhanced imaging capabilities across diverse conditions.
This hybrid payload overcomes the long-standing trade-offs in Earth observation. While SAR enables all-weather, round-the-clock imaging by penetrating clouds, rain, and darkness, the optical system provides clear, intuitive multispectral data. Together, they deliver a fused resolution of around 1.8 meters, offering up to three times more actionable insights compared to conventional single-sensor satellites.
Equipped with NVIDIA’s Jetson Orin platform for onboard AI processing and supported by electric propulsion to extend its orbital lifespan, Drishti is built to deliver near-real-time, decision-grade intelligence. Its capabilities have wide-ranging applications, including defence and strategic surveillance, precision agriculture, disaster response, urban planning, and environmental monitoring.
GalaxEye envisions Drishti as the first node in a 10-satellite “Drishti Constellation,” slated for completion by 2029, which aims to provide continuous, all-weather global coverage. Designed to deliver round-the-clock visibility, even through cloud cover and at night, the constellation will enable governments, defence agencies, and industries to perform advanced geospatial analysis with greater accuracy and speed.
The satellite’s journey began years earlier with precursor technology demonstrations, including the GLX-SQ payload flown on the Indian Space Research Organisation’s PSLV-C60/POEM-4 mission in December 2024. Following extensive testing and integration in India, the 190-kg spacecraft was shipped to the United States for integration into a Falcon 9 rideshare launch. GalaxEye CEO Suyash Singh had earlier described it as “the heaviest and largest satellite built by an Indian private company.” He added that the company’s next-generation (Gen-2) satellites are expected to deliver even sharper imagery with 0.5-meter resolution and will weigh around 300 kg.
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…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 3, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the achievement in a post on X, calling Mission Drishti a significant milestone in India’s space journey and highlighting the role of young innovators and policy reforms in driving the growth of the private space sector.
The launch serves as a strong validation of India’s evolving space policy, which has opened the sector to private participation through IN-SPACe and eased access to Indian Space Research Organisation facilities. GalaxEye’s collaboration with SpaceX for the rideshare mission also reflects deepening Indo-US space cooperation, even as India continues to strengthen its indigenous launch capabilities.
GalaxEye has confirmed the successful deployment of the satellite and established initial contact. The company will now move into the commissioning phase, with the first set of images expected in the coming weeks.
This milestone not only positions GalaxEye on the global map but also underscores the emergence of India’s private space sector as a serious contender in advanced satellite technology. With Mission Drishti now operational in orbit, this “unblinking eye” promises to deliver unprecedented insights, supporting a more secure and sustainable future.
