GalaxEye plans two new OptoSAR satellites after Mission Drishti

New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) Bengaluru-based space technology startup GalaxEye on Tuesday said its maiden Mission Drishti has successfully validated key technologies and mission capabilities, paving the way for the launch of two next-generation OptoSAR satellites over the next 24 months despite an anomaly that affected the spacecraft after launch.

The company said Mission Drishti -- launched aboard a SpaceX mission on May 3 as the world's first OptoSAR satellite -- successfully established communication and completed a major portion of its Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) and validated critical spacecraft systems, deployment mechanisms, attitude control, onboard computing and communications.

It demonstrated GalaxEye's full in-house mission operations capability through its Mission Control Centre in Bengaluru, strengthening the company's technological capabilities and market confidence, according to the company.

During its operational phase, the satellite successfully validated critical technologies, operational processes and infrastructure required to design, build, launch and operate advanced Earth observation systems.

The successful launch of Mission Drishti also received recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industry leaders, highlighting the mission's significance for India's private space ecosystem and global Earth observation capabilities.

However, GalaxEye said the spacecraft encountered an anomaly during the final stage of LEOP following a geomagnetic solar storm. Preliminary analysis indicates that radiation associated with the extreme space weather event likely affected a critical onboard system.

Communication with the satellite subsequently became intermittent and was eventually lost. While recovery efforts are continuing, the likelihood of restoring contact currently appears low, the company said.