GalaxEye Secures $6.67Mn TDB Support to Advance Indigenous OptoSAR Satellite Technology

GalaxEye Space Solutions has secured ₹63.84 (US$6.67Mn ) crore in financial support from the Technology Development Board (TDB) to advance the development and deployment of its indigenous OptoSAR satellite technology.

The Bengaluru-based space technology company will use the support to develop a multisensor Earth observation satellite that combines Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) with electro optical imaging. The project has an approved cost of ₹247.69 crore and aims to take the technology from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 to TRL 9.

GalaxEye Receives $6.67Mn TDB Support

The Technology Development Board, under the Department of Science and Technology has signed an agreement with GalaxEye Space Solutions Private Limited for ₹63.84 crore in financial assistance.

The support is being provided under the Government of India’s Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund which supports technology intensive projects as they move towards deployment and commercialisation.

TDB will provide the funding through Optionally Convertible Debentures. The financing will support GalaxEye across engineering, testing, validation and deployment activities required to bring its satellite platform to operational readiness.

OptoSAR Combines SAR and Optical Imaging

GalaxEye’s OptoSAR technology combines Synthetic Aperture Radar and electro-optical imaging within a multisensor satellite architecture.

Optical imaging can provide detailed visual information but can be affected by darkness and cloud cover. SAR, on the other hand, uses radar signals to capture imagery and can operate during both day and night, including under cloudy conditions.

By combining the two technologies, GalaxEye aims to provide a more comprehensive Earth-observation capability using the complementary strengths of radar and optical sensors.

Satellite Designed for Sub-0.5 Metre Resolution

The proposed satellite is being developed to provide imaging at a resolution of less than 0.5 metre.

The technology is intended for applications that require detailed Earth observation, including wide-area monitoring, surveillance, infrastructure observation, human and vehicle detection, and target classification.

The multisensor approach could also help address observation gaps caused by darkness or cloud cover, which can limit the effectiveness of conventional optical-only imaging systems.

GalaxEye to Move Technology From TRL-6 to TRL-9

The project has already reached Technology Readiness Level 6, meaning the technology has been demonstrated in a relevant environment.

The next stage will focus on advancing the system towards TRL 9, the level associated with technology that has been proven in its final operational configuration.

This stage involves system integration, qualification, testing and performance validation before deployment. The TDB funding is intended to support this transition from an advanced technology demonstration towards an operational space system.

Strengthening India’s Private Earth-Observation Sector

India’s private space industry is expanding into areas including satellite manufacturing, Earth observation, advanced sensors and space-based data services.

GalaxEye’s OptoSAR programme is focused on developing an indigenous multisensor Earth-observation capability that combines radar and optical data within a single satellite architecture.

Such technology can provide Indian users with greater control over satellite tasking, data access and system configuration while supporting the development of domestic capabilities in advanced Earth observation.

Potential Applications Across Multiple Sectors

High-resolution multisensor satellite imagery can support a range of civilian and strategic applications.

Potential areas include defence and border monitoring, disaster management, infrastructure planning, agriculture, maritime surveillance and environmental monitoring.

SAR can provide useful imagery during conditions such as cloud cover and poor visibility, while optical sensors can provide detailed visual information for interpretation and classification.

Combining the two datasets can therefore provide complementary information for applications that require detailed and consistent observation.

TDB Support Aims to Accelerate Deployment

TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak highlighted the importance of developing and deploying sophisticated technologies within India.

The RDI Fund is intended to support technology intensive projects through the transition from advanced development to deployment and commercialisation.

For GalaxEye the financial support is expected to help fund the engineering and validation work required to advance its OptoSAR platform towards operational readiness.

GalaxEye Targets Operational OptoSAR Deployment

GalaxEye aims to use the TDB support to accelerate the development and validation of its OptoSAR technology and move the platform towards TRL 9.

The company is developing an Earth observation system designed to combine high-resolution optical imaging with SAR capabilities, allowing observation across a broader range of weather and lighting conditions.

Reaching the operational stage will require extensive engineering, testing, qualification and validation of the satellite platform and its sensing systems.

About GalaxEye

GalaxEye Space Solutions is a Bengaluru-based space technology company focused on Earth-observation technologies.

The company is developing OptoSAR, a multisensor satellite architecture that combines Synthetic Aperture Radar and electro optical imaging. Its technology is aimed at providing high resolution Earth-observation data across different weather and lighting conditions.

The TDB-supported programme represents a major development phase for GalaxEye as it works to take its technology from TRL 6 towards TRL 9 and operational deployment.

Read Also - Rio Health Raises $4.5 Million in Pre-Series A Funding to Expand Dark Store Network