GalaxEye, a Bengaluru-based space-tech startup, has announced plans to launch its upcoming ‘Mission Drishti’, the world’s first multi-sensor Earth observation (EO) satellite, in the first quarter of 2026.
The mission marks the company’s entry into satellite deployment, with plans for a constellation of eight to 12 satellites by 2029 to deliver near-real-time global imaging. The launch aims to support government, defence and industry users with advanced geospatial data.
The Mission Drishti satellite will weigh 160 kg, making it India’s largest privately built satellite. It will combine synthetic aperture radar and high-resolution optical payloads on a single platform.
The startup also recently announced its second EO satellite, which will launch post Mission Drishti sometime in late 2026 or early 2027.
According to GalaxEye, this configuration will allow imaging in any weather and at any time, offering applications in border surveillance, disaster response, agriculture, infrastructure monitoring and financial assessment.
Suyash Singh, co-founder and CEO of GalaxEye, revealed that combining multiple sensing technologies will enable “observation in ways that were previously impossible”, positioning India on the global space map.
The structural model of Drishti underwent testing at ISRO’s UR Rao Satellite Centre, confirming its resilience to space conditions such as extreme temperature, vibration and vacuum.
The satellite will deliver imagery with a spatial resolution of 1.5 metres from an orbit of 500 km, enabling detailed environmental and structural insights.
GalaxEye reported early interest from defence, security, utilities and financial sectors. “With recent geopolitical events increasing, next-generation imaging technologies with AI infusion, we look forward to providing unparalleled imagery intelligence,” Singh said.
Founded in 2021 and incubated at IIT Madras, GalaxEye is backed by investors including MountTech Growth Fund, Mela Ventures, Speciale Invest, Infosys, Rainmatter and Navam Capital. The company plans to deploy up to 10 satellites over four years to build a persistent Earth observation network.
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