Why in news?
On 3 May 2026, start‑up GalaxEye successfully launched Mission Drishti – the world’s first OptoSAR satellite – aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. It is the largest privately built Earth‑observation satellite by an Indian company.
Background
Drishti is a 190 kg satellite that carries both multispectral optical cameras and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) on one platform. Developed by a team of IIT Madras alumni, it demonstrates that the private sector can build sophisticated space technology.
- OptoSAR technology: optical sensors capture high‑resolution colour images but cannot penetrate cloud or darkness; SAR radar works through clouds and at night but has speckled images. By fusing both data streams, Drishti delivers clear, all‑weather, day‑night pictures.
- Orbit and resolution: it orbits about 500 km above Earth and offers a fused resolution of around 1.2–3.6 m, depending on imaging mode.
- Applications: the satellite will supply analysis‑ready imagery for crop monitoring, urban planning, disaster response and national security. It can help detect illegal construction, monitor floods and track ship movements.
- Significance: the mission demonstrates India’s growing private‑sector capabilities and supports the government’s goal of becoming a global commercial satellite provider. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team for this milestone.
Mission Drishti ushers in a new era of Earth observation by combining complementary sensors on a single platform. Its success highlights the increasing role of start‑ups in India’s space sector.
Do one recall action now
Practice first while the topic is fresh. Save the key points or use Shorts when you want a quick recap.