PM Modi applauds GalaxEye’s ‘Mission Drishti’ launch, calls it milestone for India’s private space push

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Bengaluru-based space-tech startup GalaxEye on the successful launch of its flagship satellite “Mission Drishti,” hailing it as a major stride in India’s growing space capabilities and a symbol of youthful innovation.

‎In a post on social media platform X, Modi described the mission as a landmark achievement. “Mission Drishti by GalaxEye marks a major achievement in our space journey. The successful launch of the world’s first OptoSAR satellite and the largest privately-built satellite in India is a testament to our youth’s passion for innovation and nation-building,” he said. He also extended “heartiest congratulations and best wishes” to the company’s founders and team.

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‎Mission Drishti was launched aboard the Falcon 9, operated by SpaceX, highlighting continued collaboration between Indian private space players and global launch providers. The satellite, weighing around 190 kg, is being described as the largest privately developed satellite in India so far.

‎According to reports, Mission Drishti is the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, combining Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) with multi-spectral imaging to generate high-resolution Earth observation data. This integrated capability enables round-the-clock, all-weather monitoring, making it valuable for sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, defence, and infrastructure planning.

‎The development underscores the rapid rise of India’s private space ecosystem following recent policy reforms that have opened the sector to startups and non-governmental entities. While the Indian Space Research Organisation continues to anchor the country’s space programme, emerging firms like GalaxEye are driving innovation and expanding India’s footprint in the global commercial space market.

‎Government officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of startups in advancing India’s ambition to become a leading space economy, with a strong focus on public-private partnerships, technological advancement, and global competitiveness.