Bengaluru-based space tech firm GalaxEye aims to launch two new OptoSAR satellites within 24 months. The move follows the loss of its maiden Mission Drishti due to solar storm interference. To improve reliability, the company is shifting toward in-house manufacturing for greater control over its satellite supply chain.
Bengaluru-based space technology startup GalaxEye has announced plans to launch two advanced OptoSAR satellites over the next two years. This decision follows the failure of the company’s inaugural Mission Drishti, which was lost after encountering communication difficulties in orbit earlier this year. The company expects these upcoming missions to demonstrate the reliability of its proprietary technology, which combines optical and synthetic aperture radar imaging into a single platform.
Impact of the Mission Drishti Setback
Mission Drishti, which launched on May 3, 2026, was intended to be the world's first satellite featuring integrated optical and radar capabilities. While the satellite initially achieved its orbital phase and established ground contact, it suffered an anomaly during later stages of operation. The company reported that the failure was caused by intense radiation from an extreme geomagnetic solar storm, which damaged critical onboard systems. Attempts to restore contact with the satellite have not been successful, leading the team to focus their resources on future development.
Strategic Shift to In-House Manufacturing
Following the technical challenges faced by its first mission, GalaxEye is moving toward greater vertical integration. Founder and CEO Suyash Singh noted that the engineering data recovered from the maiden mission is being used to redesign the architecture of upcoming spacecraft. By bringing more of its supply chain, design, and manufacturing processes in-house, the company aims to reduce reliance on external vendors and gain more control over satellite quality. This strategy is intended to minimize execution risks and improve the overall resilience of its hardware against environmental hazards like solar radiation.
Future Outlook and Next Steps
Investors and stakeholders will likely monitor how this transition to in-house manufacturing affects the company's capital allocation and project timelines. While space technology ventures often face high technical risks during early launch phases, the ability to successfully execute these next two missions will be critical for building customer confidence in GalaxEye’s dual-imaging technology. The primary focus for the company over the next 24 months will be the successful development, testing, and deployment of these new satellites, alongside managing the increased costs associated with internalizing its production infrastructure.