Mission Drishti: GalaxEye’s Optical-Plus-Radar Satellite
Why in the news
A privately developed Indian Earth Observation satellite, Mission Drishti, was launched successfully. It combines two kinds of imaging sensor in a single craft.
Key facts
- Builder: GalaxEye, a startup incubated at IIT Madras.
- Technology: patented OptoSAR, merging an optical camera and a Synthetic Aperture Radar.
- Mass: 190 kg, India’s largest privately made EO satellite.
- Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9 (Transporter mission) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
- Ability: all-weather, 24/7 imaging.
Optical versus SAR
| Sensor | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Optical | Detailed, easy-to-read pictures | Fails at night or through cloud and smoke |
| SAR (radar) | Sees through cloud, rain and darkness | Images harder to interpret, less visual clarity |
| OptoSAR (Drishti) | Both data streams captured together | – |
Background
- Multi-sensor fusion blends different sensors to cut uncertainty: optical data tells what an object is, SAR tells where it is and its physical properties.
- In floods or landslides under thick cloud, radar maps can show water extent while optical snippets arrive when clouds part, speeding rescue planning.
- GalaxEye is cited with Pixxel and Skyroot as part of the NewSpace India wave, where private firms create world-first technology instead of only supplying ISRO.
Exam angle
- Developer: GalaxEye (IIT Madras incubated); technology: OptoSAR.
- Launch vehicle and site: Falcon 9, Vandenberg.
- Related terms: SAR, Earth Observation, multi-sensor fusion, NewSpace.