GalaxEye’s AI-Powered OptoSAR Satellite ‘Mission Drishti’ to Transform Earth Data Analysis

Bengaluru-based space technology startup GalaxEye is set to revolutionize Earth observation with its upcoming Mission Drishti satellite. The AI-enabled OptoSAR satellite will use NVIDIA Jetson Orin, a powerful compact computer, to process and interpret Earth data directly in space. By accelerating in-orbit data analysis, the mission aims to deliver faster and more reliable insights for sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, and natural resource monitoring.

Mission Drishti: AI in Space

GalaxEye announced that Mission Drishti will carry the NVIDIA Jetson Orin module into space.

The compact AI computer will,

• Run complex artificial intelligence models
• Accelerate in-space processing of Earth observation data
• Reduce dependency on ground-based data analysis
• Deliver faster intelligence to customers

CEO Suyash Singh described the mission as a defining milestone following the company’s successful in-space demonstration in 2024.

What Is SyncFused OptoSAR Technology?

Mission Drishti will feature the world’s first SyncFused OptoSAR architecture, combining,

• Electro-Optical (EO) sensors
• Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors

How It Works,

• EO sensors capture high-resolution images during daylight and clear weather.
• SAR sensors use radar pulses to capture images in all weather conditions, including night-time.
• By integrating EO and SAR on a single satellite platform, GalaxEye reduces the traditional trade-off between high-resolution imagery and all-weather imaging capability.

Why AI-Based Earth Observation Matters

The AI-enabled OptoSAR satellite will generate consistent and actionable intelligence for,

• Agriculture monitoring
• Disaster response and early warning systems
• Natural resource management
• Infrastructure and environmental monitoring

Processing data directly in space ensures quicker turnaround time and more efficient data delivery.

Exploring Orbital Data Centres (ODC)

Mission Drishti will also test the concept of Orbital Data Centres (ODC).

In this model,

• Multiple satellites operate as interconnected compute nodes
• Data processing happens collaboratively in orbit
• Scalability and operational efficiency improve

Insights from Mission Drishti are expected to influence the design of future satellite constellations.

Future Roadmap: 10-Satellite Constellation by 2030

GalaxEye plans to scale Mission Drishti into a constellation of 10 satellites by 2030.

This expansion will,

• Improve global coverage
• Increase data reliability
• Enhance economic viability
• Strengthen India’s private space ecosystem

EO vs SAR Satellites

• Electro-Optical (EO) satellites capture images similar to regular cameras but are limited by daylight and weather.
• Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites use radar signals to capture images regardless of weather or lighting conditions.
• Combining EO and SAR in a single platform improves reliability and data consistency.

Question

Q. Mission Drishti by GalaxEye will integrate which two sensor technologies?

A) Thermal and Infrared
B) EO and SAR
C) GPS and LiDAR
D) Optical and Radio