Funding · Government, Defense & Space

GalaxEye gets ₹63.84 crore RDI support from TDB

By Startup Enthusiast · 24 September 2026

What they do

GalaxEye builds OptoSAR satellites that combine radar and optical imaging

The Technology Development Board gave ₹63.84 crore via optionally convertible debentures

The funding will move its OptoSAR technology from TRL-6 to TRL-9 for deployment

The Technology Development Board (TDB) signed an agreement with GalaxEye Space Solutions for ₹63.84 crore in RDI support.
The support is in the form of Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCDs) — a debt that can be turned into equity later.
The total approved project cost is ₹247.69 crore.
The goal is to move GalaxEye's OptoSAR technology from TRL-6 (prototype demonstrated in relevant environment) to TRL-9 (actual system proven through successful mission operations).
The funds will be used for further development, engineering, testing, and validation towards deployment.
GalaxEye launched its first satellite, Mission Drishti, on 3 May 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9.
Mission Drishti is described as the world's first OptoSAR satellite and India's largest privately built satellite.
Communication with Mission Drishti was lost in July 2026 due to radiation from a geomagnetic solar storm.

The RDI Scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet on 1 July 2025 with an outlay of ₹1 lakh crore over six years and launched on 3 November 2025.
As of July 2026, TDB has approved 22 projects with a combined project cost of ₹4,744 crore and RDI support of ₹2,192 crore.
GalaxEye also secured a US patent for technology that synchronises optical and radar sensors.
The company plans to launch two more OptoSAR satellites within 24 months.

GalaxEye builds OptoSAR satellites that combine Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Electro-Optical (EO) imaging on a single platform.
The imaging target is sub-0.5 metre resolution.
Applications include wide-area and long-range surveillance, human and vehicle detection, and target classification.
Mission Drishti carries SAR and 7-band MSI (multi-spectral imager) with fused resolution of 1.8 m, SAR resolution up to 0.9 m in Spotlight mode, and MSI native resolution of 3.6 m GSD at nadir.
Swath: SAR 30 km, MSI 10 km.
GalaxEye acquired StarOps (details not provided in facts).

Technology Development Board (lead) — A government body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, that provides financial support for technology development.