Mission Drishti, the world’s first OptoSAR (Optical + Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite, developed by Bengaluru-based space start-up GalaxEye, has been lost in space after encountering an anomaly during the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP).
According to the company, the failure occurred after a geomagnetic solar storm damaged a critical onboard component during the final stage of LEOP.
Mission Drishti was launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket on 3 May 2026 and was India’s largest privately developed Earth observation satellite.
It marked the world’s first satellite to combine optical imaging with classic Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, enabling all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation.
The satellite successfully reached orbit and established communication with ground stations during the initial weeks after launch but was unable to complete the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP).
A geomagnetic solar storm is a space weather event caused by intense solar activity, including solar flares and the release of charged particles from the Sun, which can disrupt satellites, communication systems, and power infrastructure.
Mission Drishti was the first satellite launched by GalaxEye, marking a significant milestone for India’s private space sector despite the mission’s premature loss.
GalaxEye plans to deploy a constellation of OptoSAR satellites in the future to enhance Earth observation capabilities for defence, agriculture, disaster management, environmental monitoring, and maritime surveillance.
The incident highlights the challenges posed by space weather to satellite operations and underscores the need for enhanced resilience in future spacecraft design.
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