Bengaluru, May 3: Bengaluru-based private space startup Galaxy I has successfully launched its satellite, Mission Drishti, with the help of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This mission aims to provide effective imagery related to adverse weather disasters, agriculture, and border monitoring. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the founders and the entire team of Galaxy I through a post on X.
He stated, “The launch of Mission Drishti by Galaxy I is a significant achievement in space travel. The successful launch of the world’s first OptoSAR satellite and the largest private satellite made in India is a testament to our youth’s passion for innovation and nation-building. Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the founders and the entire team of Galaxy I.”
On Sunday, the 190-kilogram Mission Drishti was launched from California, marking it as the largest satellite ever built by an Indian private company. This unique satellite features both a multispectral camera and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imager on a single platform.
The core of the Drishti mission is a novel hybrid system called OptoSAR, which combines optical imaging and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) on the same platform. Traditionally, satellites rely either on optical sensors or radar.
Optical systems capture wide and colored photos similar to images, but they struggle to provide clear ground images in cloudy or dark conditions. On the other hand, radar systems use radio waves to see through clouds and operate at night, although they typically produce less clear images.
OptoSAR bridges this gap by integrating both technologies in a single satellite. It captures optical and radar data simultaneously, merging the output into a unified image. As a result, it can provide extremely detailed images of the Earth even in cloudy weather. It is one of India’s highest-resolution satellites.
This successful launch highlights the growing role of global partnerships in India’s space journey. By leveraging SpaceX’s launch services, Indian startups are gaining faster and more flexible access to orbit while focusing on cutting-edge payload development.
Mission Drishti signals a shift in India’s space landscape, moving towards a more dynamic ecosystem driven by private innovation rather than solely government-led initiatives. As Galaxy I prepares to activate the satellite’s data capabilities, this mission could redefine how we monitor the Earth, providing clear and reliable information regardless of time or weather conditions.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 8 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Udaipur Kiran & Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
