Context:
Bengaluru-based space start-up GalaxEye has lost contact with Mission Drishti, described as the world’s first OptoSAR satellite. The anomaly occurred after a geomagnetic solar storm, and recovery chances are presently low.
Explanation:
- Mission Drishti is India’s largest privately developed Earth observation satellite.
- It was launched in May aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg, California.
- It combines electro-optical sensors and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) on one satellite platform.
- Electro-optical imaging captures images using visible and infrared light, like a powerful space camera.
- SAR uses radar waves, so it can observe Earth even during night, clouds, smoke or bad weather.
- This combination is called OptoSAR, useful for agriculture, disaster management, defence, border monitoring and infrastructure mapping.
- The satellite faced problems during the final stage of LEOP, meaning Launch and Early Orbit Phase.
- A geomagnetic solar storm can disturb satellite electronics, communication systems and orbital stability.
- The incident shows that private space missions need strong space-weather protection and backup systems.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
Mission Drishti and OptoSAR Technology in Space