Mission Drishti:
Bengaluru-based space startup GalaxEye successfully launched ‘Mission Drishti’, the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
- Mission Drishti is a cutting-edge, dual-use Earth observation satellite.
- It is uniquely recognized as the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, meaning it integrates two different types of sensors—optical and radar—onto a single operational platform to provide high-clarity, analysis-ready data.
- Organization: Developer: GalaxEye (a Bengaluru-based space-tech startup).
- Facilitated by IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center).
- Launch Details:
- Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9.
- Launch Site: Vandenberg, California, USA.
- Orbit: Sun-synchronous Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of approximately 500 km.
- The mission aims to overcome the limitations of traditional Earth observation by providing all-weather, day-and-night imaging. By combining optical and radar data, it seeks to provide decision-grade clarity for global stakeholders in sectors ranging from national security to environmental monitoring.
Key Features:
- OptoSAR Technology: The first satellite globally to combine Electro-Optical (EO) sensors with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). SAR can see through clouds and darkness, while EO provides intuitive visual detail.
- Mass & Size: At 190 kg, it is India’s largest privately developed Earth observation satellite.
- Resolution: Offers a spatial resolution of 1.2 – 3.6 meters, the highest among Indian private players.
- Spectral Bands: Operates across multiple bands including X-Band (SAR), PAN, RGB, NIR, Coastal Blue, and Red Edge.
- Revisit Frequency: The satellite is designed to revisit the same spot every 4 days, ensuring high-frequency monitoring.
- Fused Data Output: It delivers inherently aligned, fused imagery that is analysis-ready, reducing the need for complex post-processing by the user.
