GalaxEye Partners SpaceX For Earth Observation Satellite Launch

Bengaluru-based spacetech startup GalaxEye is reportedly partnering with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to launch multi sensor Earth observation (EO) satellite ‘Drishiti,’ slated for launch by mid next year.

As per ET, citing GalaxEye’s cofounder Pranit Mehta, “This will be a 150 kg high resolution indigenously developed satellite, and we plan to launch a constellation of five satellites, with Drishiti being the first.”

With this launch, GalaxEye is looking at positioning itself as the key provider of data across various altitudes, he added. The satellite will be transported to the US once it’s ready to launch. 

On collaboration with SpaceX for the launch of the satellite, Mehta said, “Earlier, we considered the ISRO spaceport, but there were some timeline challenges. While discussions with them are still ongoing, we have finalized SpaceX for this launch, being the first startup to do so.”

He further added that the launch is a move to mark a full circle for the GalaxEye’s team as it was the Asian Finalists at the SpaceX Hyperloop Competition in 2019.

Founded in 2021 by Mehta, Denil Chawda, Kishan Thakkar, Suyash Singh and Rakshit Bhatt, GalaxEye claims to be developing world’s first multi sensor EO satellite, alongside a constellation of indigenous micro satellites with advanced data fusion capabilities. The startup is backed by the likes of Speciale Invest, LetsVenture and Mela Ventures. 

It has raised funds in the last few months to push the development of its EO satellite. 

Last month, IT giant Infosys invested INR 17 Cr (about $2 Mn) in the GalaxEye’s Series A funding round.

Prior to that, in August, the startup raised $6.5 Mn (about INR 55 Cr) in Series A funding round from investors including Mela Ventures and Speciale Invest. Other participants in the funding round were Rainmatter Capital, Navam Capital, Faad Capital, Anicut Capital, and drone tech startup ideaForge. 

Additionally, drone manufacturer IdeaForge also picked up a minority stake in the startup for INR 8.28 Cr, Inc42 reported in July.