Spacetech startup GalaxEye has received a patent in the United States for the core technology behind its OptoSAR imaging capability, and says the milestone will help it launch a 30-satellite constellation over the next five years. The company told Business Standard it is the first Indian startup to be granted a US patent for this technology, which combines optical images with synthetic aperture radar to deliver better image quality despite smoke and clouds in the atmosphere.
The patent covers the core invention for the architecture and system used to align and synchronise optical and microwave sensors for simultaneous, spatially and temporally matched data acquisition. Cofounder and vice-president of sales Pranit Mehta said the patent is a foundational element for building larger satellites as the company scales to a 30-satellite constellation, and that it plans to improve the specifications of its next generation satellites.
The company is betting on a fast-growing market. According to research firm SkyQuest Technology, the global commercial satellite imaging market was valued at $6.55 billion in 2024 and is projected to more than triple to $20.15 billion by 2033.
Setbacks and next steps
GalaxEye, incubated at IIT Madras, became the first company to launch an operational OptoSAR satellite, Mission Drishti, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in May. The satellite went through its commissioning phase in the following months, but a solar storm in July derailed its plans. Mehta said the satellite had met almost 85 per cent of its objectives and was in regular contact with the ground team, but the storm damaged a critical system and communication was lost.
The company said it has already signed up a global network of channel partners covering more than 80 countries, and sees demand across defence, agriculture, infrastructure, insurance, maritime intelligence and disaster management. It plans two new satellite launches in the next two years; the next generation spacecraft will be bigger and heavier with higher resolution, compared with the roughly 190 kg Mission Drishti. The company, which has raised about $21 million in funding, acquired Bengaluru-based spacecraft engineering firm StarOps in August to strengthen its in-house manufacturing and satellite system capabilities.
India expects its commercial space industry to be worth $44 billion within the decade.
Sources:
Business Standard — With US-patented tech, GalaxEye plans to launch 30 satellites in 5 years (October 4, 2026)
The patent covers the core invention for the architecture and system used to align and synchronise optical and microwave sensors for simultaneous, spatially and temporally matched data acquisition. Cofounder and vice-president of sales Pranit Mehta said the patent is a foundational element for building larger satellites as the company scales to a 30-satellite constellation, and that it plans to improve the specifications of its next generation satellites.
The company is betting on a fast-growing market. According to research firm SkyQuest Technology, the global commercial satellite imaging market was valued at $6.55 billion in 2024 and is projected to more than triple to $20.15 billion by 2033.
Setbacks and next steps
GalaxEye, incubated at IIT Madras, became the first company to launch an operational OptoSAR satellite, Mission Drishti, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in May. The satellite went through its commissioning phase in the following months, but a solar storm in July derailed its plans. Mehta said the satellite had met almost 85 per cent of its objectives and was in regular contact with the ground team, but the storm damaged a critical system and communication was lost.
The company said it has already signed up a global network of channel partners covering more than 80 countries, and sees demand across defence, agriculture, infrastructure, insurance, maritime intelligence and disaster management. It plans two new satellite launches in the next two years; the next generation spacecraft will be bigger and heavier with higher resolution, compared with the roughly 190 kg Mission Drishti. The company, which has raised about $21 million in funding, acquired Bengaluru-based spacecraft engineering firm StarOps in August to strengthen its in-house manufacturing and satellite system capabilities.
India expects its commercial space industry to be worth $44 billion within the decade.
Sources:
Business Standard — With US-patented tech, GalaxEye plans to launch 30 satellites in 5 years (October 4, 2026)
