New Delhi: India marked a significant milestone in its space journey on Sunday with the successful launch of ‘Mission Drishti’, a major achievement in the country’s expanding private space sector. The 190-kg satellite, developed by Bengaluru-based company GalaxEye, is the largest privately built satellite by India to date.
The satellite was launched aboard the Falcon-9 launch vehicle and has been successfully placed into Earth’s orbit.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that Mission Drishti strengthens India’s global standing and technological capabilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the launch as a major accomplishment in the space domain.
A key highlight of the mission is its ‘OptoSAR’ technology, which integrates optical sensors with synthetic aperture radar systems. This advanced capability enables the satellite to capture accurate data even in conditions of cloud cover, smoke, or darkness.
The project has been executed in collaboration with NewSpace India Limited for the global dissemination of satellite data. Testing was carried out using facilities of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), while the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) provided necessary approvals and support.
Mission Drishti is expected to serve both defense and civilian purposes. In the defense sector, it will enhance border surveillance and monitoring of strategic activities. For civilian applications, the satellite will support agriculture, disaster management, maritime surveillance, and infrastructure development.