Indian space technology startup GalaxEye announced on Tuesday that it has been granted a US patent for the core technology behind its OptoSAR imaging system.
This system integrates optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors to capture Earth observation data that is aligned in both space and time.
The patent encompasses the architecture and the system that synchronises optical and microwave sensors to acquire data simultaneously with spatial and temporal alignment.
GalaxEye had previously patented the foundational technology in India.
The US patent enhances the company’s intellectual property portfolio as it prepares to expand a planned constellation of 30 satellites over the next five years.
With a growing commercial pipeline across domestic and international markets, the network aims to support defence, government, and commercial sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, insurance, maritime intelligence, and disaster management.
Traditionally, optical and SAR sensors in Earth observation have operated independently or have been combined only after data collection, creating temporal gaps and spatial misalignments due to different capture times, angles, or platforms.
patented design addresses this challenge by synchronising both sensing technologies at the system level, merging the visual and spectral data from optical imaging with SAR’s day-and-night and all-weather capabilities.
“This is an invention that came out of India,” said Suyash Singh, GalaxEye founder and CEO, noting that the US patent validates the capability of Indian deep-tech companies to innovate globally differentiated technology.
The technology is linked to GalaxEye’s Mission Drishti, launched in May, which was the world’s first OptoSAR imaging satellite combining multispectral imaging and SAR on a single platform.
Weighing approximately 190 kg, Drishti was also the largest Earth observation satellite privately built in India at the time of its launch.
Furthermore, in August, GalaxEye acquired Bengaluru-based spacecraft engineering firm StarOps to enhance its in-house spacecraft engineering and system capabilities.
The startup plans to expand its OptoSAR platform through future satellites, imaging payload innovations, data processing improvements, and AI-driven intelligence solutions.