Just one month after losing a satellite, space startup GalaxEye made an ambitious move: it acquired a full spacecraft engineering company. While some companies might scale back after losing contact with their first satellite, GalaxEye turned to StarOps — a Varen engineering team to completely own its space technology stack from the ground up.
The Fuel Behind Ambition: GalaxEye's OptoSAR Satellites
The Indian space-tech company GalaxEye launched Drishti in May 2026. This satellite combines optical imaging and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to impressively observe Earth in ways conventional optical satellites cannot. Drishti was designed to capture images and radar data simultaneously, a feat that could revolutionize data collection for various industries. During the day, at night, and even through clouds, Drishti could provide indispensable and continuous data. But a failed mission can test any company's resolve. When a geomagnetic storm knocked out communication with Drishti, GalaxEye faced a critical turning point. But instead of packing up, the company made an unusual move:
Why Add a Space-Engineering Veteran
GalaxEye’s purchase of StarOps gives it a critical advantage. The team has built spacecraft for a decade, from lunar landers for India to other critical satellite components. StarOps brings in a team experienced in satellite platforms, avionics, propulsion, and flight computing. For GalaxEye, this means fully integrating the complex engineering process, from satellite components to the system architecture, into-house.
The Challenges Galactic mission brings
Orbit Doubters
Space is unforgiving, and a single failure can stall years of hard work, making investing in space companies risky. The satellite's success depends on complex subsystems to function in microgravity and extreme temperatures. Drishti, GalaxEye's first satellite, was a stepping stone, and its failure was no small incident. It underscored the fragility of satellite operations. To succeed in space, satellites need a robust engineering infrastructure to operate without failure. The journey is long, stretching from the theoretical design to the stability of the satellite once deployed. The result is an entire ecosystem, from the optical cameras to the power system, needing to work perfectly together.
Reclaiming the Mission
GalaxEye didn’t just replace the physical hardware with StarOps. It secured "the underlying knowledge required to build the entire spacecraft," focusing on:
- design: Propulsion hardware, testing infrastructure
- qualification: Proof needed to guarantee that a satellite survives in space
- intellectual property: The core expertise required for complex engineering work This makes GalaxEye vertically integrated, facilitating the design, testing, manufacturing, and operating of everything in-house. It’s about perfecting the art of building satellites that can withstand the unpredictable environment of space.
The Technology at the Heart of GalaxEye's Ambitions
Pushing Forward with Proven Hardware
OptoSAR, the payload, was designed to provide high-resolution images and radar data, invisible to the naked eye. By integrating with SAR, the satellite could penetrate clouds and darkness, making the satellite’s capabilities a big leap in Earth observation.
Total Vertical Integration: the new normal
Vertical integration does not just mean entering new markets. For a space-tech startup, it involves:
- design: Building the entire system from scratch
- testing: Constantly iterating on the design
- manufacturing: Being self-sufficient, and owning the intellectual property and technology
- operation: Ensuring that every piece of the ecosystem works seamlessly together Ultimately, what GalaxEye is achieving is nothing short of revolutionary in spacecraft engineering — a closed-loop system where every part of the process is owned and operated in-house.
Making a Satellite Fleet Operable
An Architectural Advantage
By acquiring StarOps, GalaxEye is building a resilient ecosystem to withstand the harsh space environment. This move strengthens GalaxEye's ability to build future satellites, and the company does not have to scramble to repair mistakes. Instead, the company can iterate and improve.
Towards a Fleet
Building one satellite is a complex task. However, building a fleet that works reliably is a whole different level of complexity. "It is a different game entirely," to quote GalaxEye. If the company succeeds, in the next years, its OptoSAR satellite constellations will be able to provide continuous radar and optical data around the clock. GalaxEye now has a robust foundation to build upon, and if successful, it could set the stage for a whole new era in satellite data and communication.
Questions readers ask
What exactly is OptoSAR technology and how does it work?
OptoSAR is a technology developed by GalaxEye that combines optical imaging and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to capture images and radar data simultaneously. This allows for continuous observation of Earth, day or night, and even through clouds. It’s designed to provide high-resolution data that can be invaluable for various industries, making it a significant advancement over conventional optical satellites.
Why did GalaxEye acquire StarOps after losing a satellite?
GalaxEye acquired StarOps to accelerate its space technology development and gain a critical advantage. StarOps brings a decade of experience in building spacecraft, including satellite platforms, avionics, propulsion, and flight computing. This acquisition allows GalaxEye to fully integrate the complex engineering process in-house, from design to system architecture.
What are the main challenges faced by GalaxEye in its space missions?
Space missions are inherently risky, with challenges like microgravity and extreme temperatures. The failure of GalaxEye’s first satellite, Drishti, highlighted the fragility of satellite operations. To succeed, GalaxEye needs a robust engineering infrastructure that ensures all subsystems work perfectly together from the ground up.
How does GalaxEye plan to re-establish its mission after the failure?
Instead of just replacing physical hardware, GalaxEye acquired StarOps to secure the underlying knowledge required to build the entire spacecraft. This includes design, qualification, and intellectual property, making GalaxEye vertically integrated and better equipped to handle the complexities of space missions.
What does GalaxEye hope to achieve with its OptoSAR satellites?
GalaxEye aims to revolutionize data collection with its OptoSAR satellites. By providing high-resolution images and radar data, it can offer continuous and comprehensive observation of Earth, which is invaluable for various industries, especially in challenging environments like cloud cover or darkness.
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