GalaxEye, a space technology start-up based in Chennai, India, has announced plans to launch the world’s first multi-sensor satellite, named Mission Drishti, in 2024.
This will revolutionize Earth observation, offering continuous monitoring capabilities day and night, irrespective of challenging conditions like dense cloud cover.
The satellite combines two types of sensors: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical sensors.
Current optical sensors can provide detailed Earth imagery but falter under cloudy conditions or during night-time. “SAR, on the other hand, isn’t dependent on sunlight and can function at night,” explains Suyash Singh, the CEO of GalaxEye Space.
Mission Drishti will capture both SAR and optical sensor data from the same satellite, enhancing the correlation and analytical value of the data. This innovative fusion will improve the reliability and utility of Earth observation data.
GalaxEye has identified several sectors that could benefit from this data, that includes agriculture, natural disaster insurance, defence, and intelligence. The satellite’s data could streamline the insurance claim process, aiding both providers and claimants.
The satellite incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M), has secured partnerships with leading space-tech organizations, including Antaris Inc, QL Space, XDLINX Labs, Ananth Technologies, and Dassault Systemes.
