GalaxEye Gets ₹63.8 Cr RDI Support For Multisensor Satellite Tech

Spacetech firm GalaxEye has received a ₹63.84 Cr financial boost from the Centre's Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund to advance its next-generation multisensor satellite technology. The Technology Development Board (TDB), a part of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), signed an agreement with the Bengaluru-based startup, providing the funds via optionally convertible debentures.

The project, with a total approved cost of ₹247.69 Cr, seeks to create an indigenous satellite with OptoSAR imaging, boasting a resolution of less than 0.5 metres. The innovation aims to overcome the limitations of optical imaging, which can be affected by clouds and lighting, by combining SAR and electro-optical (EO) imaging technologies.

Upon successful completion, the technology will progress from a demonstrated prototype to a fully operational system. GalaxEye's hybrid imaging approach enables high-resolution Earth observation in diverse weather and lighting conditions, making it suitable for wide-area and long-range surveillance, target classification, and monitoring people and vehicles.

TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak highlighted the importance of the agreement, stating that it aligns with TDB's commitment to fostering indigenous capabilities in emerging space technologies and aiding their commercialization journey. Founded in 2021, GalaxEye has raised approximately $27 Mn in funding to date, with investors including Speciale Invest, Rainmatter, MV Core, and Mounttech Growth Fund.