GalaxEye loses contact with Mission Drishti, India's largest privately developed OptoSAR satellite

Bengaluru-based space start-up GalaxEye has lost contact with Mission Drishti, India's largest privately developed OptoSAR satellite, following an anomaly caused by a geomagnetic solar storm. Launched in May, Mission Drishti encountered radiation effects that likely impacted a critical onboard system during its Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP). Communication became intermittent and was eventually lost, with the likelihood of recovery currently appearing low. The satellite integrated electro-optical (EO) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors into a single operational platform.

Key Points

  • GalaxEye lost contact with Mission Drishti, India's largest privately developed OptoSAR satellite.
  • The anomaly occurred due to a geomagnetic solar storm, impacting a critical onboard system.
  • Mission Drishti, launched in May, integrated both electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar sensors.
  • Recovery efforts are ongoing, but the chances of re-establishing contact are low.

Exam Facts

  • Satellite: Mission Drishti, developed by GalaxEye (Bengaluru-based start-up).
  • Mission Drishti is India's largest privately developed earth observation satellite.
  • Launched in May aboard a Falcon 9 by SpaceX from Vandenberg, California.
  • It integrates electro-optical (EO) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors.

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All current affairs of 8 July 2026