Mission Drishti Satellite Launched by GalaxEye
New Delhi: On Sunday, the Bengaluru-based space start-up, GalaxEye, successfully launched its Mission Drishti satellite aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from California.
As the first OptoSAR satellite globally, Mission Drishti uniquely amalgamates electro-optical (EO) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors into one functional platform, as per the company’s declaration.
While EO sensors procure high-resolution imagery during daylight under clear skies, SAR sensors utilize radar pulses to capture data in all weather conditions, at any given time.
In a statement following the launch, Suyash Singh, the founder and CEO of GalaxEye, articulated, With the satellite (Mission Drishti) now successfully in orbit, our immediate focus is on completing its commissioning.
As we progress through this phase, we are already observing considerable global interest in the distinctive datasets facilitated by our OptoSAR payload.
The satellite aims to surmount longstanding limitations inherent in conventional systems, thereby facilitating more reliable and consistent data capture across a variety of environmental conditions, according to the firm.
Serving as a dual-use Earth observation entity, this mission will cater to diverse applications, including defense, agriculture, disaster management, maritime surveillance, and infrastructure development.
Moreover, the satellite is anticipated to augment India’s extensive initiatives, which include the 29 active Earth Observation satellites highlighted in ISRO’s most recent annual report.
This groundbreaking launch resulted from five years of domestic research and development, along with rigorous environmental evaluations and performance validations of the Mission Drishti satellite.
Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd), director general of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), remarked, “GalaxEye has accomplished what only a handful of global entities have, seamlessly integrating optical and SAR functionalities on a single platform to provide persistent, all-weather intelligence.”
He elaborated, stating, “What truly distinguishes this achievement is not only its technological prowess but also its broader implications for downstream applications that increasingly dictate the value within the space economy—particularly in Earth observation, where timely, actionable insights are indispensable.”
ISpA serves as the leading industry association representing space and satellite enterprises within the nation.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh also acknowledged the launch of Mission Drishti, deeming it a monumental milestone in India’s journey into space.
In a post on X, Singh expressed, “The successful launch of the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, the largest privately-built satellite in India, showcases the immense potential of our innovative youth in nation-building.”
GalaxEye aspires to expand Mission Drishti into a constellation of 10 satellites by the year 2030, thereby creating a robust and sovereign Earth observation infrastructure for India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the same day, extolled the launch of Mission Drishti, describing it as a testament to youthful fervor for innovation and nation-building.
“GalaxEye’s Mission Drishti signifies a significant achievement in our trajectory into space. The successful launch of the world’s first OptoSAR satellite and India’s largest privately constructed satellite exemplifies our youth’s commitment to innovation and national development,” Modi articulated in a post on X.
The Prime Minister also extended his congratulations to the founders and all members of the GalaxEye team, offering his best wishes for their future pursuits.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the young scientists and engineers at GalaxEye for their role in developing Mission Drishti, characterized as the world’s first OptoSAR satellite that consolidates optical cameras and all-weather radar capabilities.
In another post on X, Shah stated, “Congratulations to our young scientists and engineers at @GalaxEye for the creation of Mission Drishti, the world’s first OptoSAR satellite that merges optical cameras with all-weather radar.”
He asserted that the launch of India’s largest privately built satellite would revolutionize Earth observation and underscore the exceptional capabilities of the nation’s youth on the global platform.
“This launch will redefine how we observe our planet and showcase the capabilities of our youth to the world, aligning with Modi Ji’s vision of an India excelling in space,” he concluded, offering his best wishes for future endeavors.
Source link: Thenewsnow.co.in.
