Indian Startup GalaxEye Wins US Patent for OptoSAR Earth-Imaging Technology

Indian space technology startup GalaxEye has secured a US patent for the core technology behind its OptoSAR imaging system, which combines optical sensors with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to capture aligned Earth observation data. SAR is a radar technique that builds high-resolution images by combining signals collected as a satellite moves, letting it work day or night and through cloud cover. The same foundational technology has already been patented in India.

The US patent covers the architecture GalaxEye uses to synchronise its optical and SAR sensors so they capture the same location at the same time and from the same viewing angle. This addresses a long-standing problem in Earth observation, where optical and SAR sensors have traditionally worked independently or been combined only through post-processing, leaving data captured at different times or angles with temporal gaps and spatial misalignment. GalaxEye's architecture synchronises both sensing methods at the system level, combining the visual and spectral detail of optical imaging with SAR's ability to see through clouds and darkness.

"This is an invention that came out of India," said GalaxEye founder and CEO Suyash Singh. He said the US patent validates the ability of Indian deep-tech companies to develop globally differentiated technology. GalaxEye said the patent strengthens its intellectual property position as it prepares to scale a planned 30-satellite constellation over the next five years, serving defence, government and commercial customers in areas including agriculture, infrastructure, insurance, maritime intelligence and disaster management.

The technology is linked to GalaxEye's Mission Drishti, which the company describes as the world's first OptoSAR imaging satellite, combining multispectral imaging (capturing several distinct bands of light beyond what the eye can see) and SAR on a single platform. At about 190 kg, Drishti was also India's largest privately built Earth observation satellite at the time of its launch in May. In August, GalaxEye announced the acquisition of Bengaluru-based spacecraft engineering company StarOps to strengthen its in-house spacecraft engineering capabilities.