GalaxEye Tests World's First Private Synthetic Aperture Radar

• 21 May 2024

On 21st May, 2024, Indian space start-up GalaxEye successfully tested a home-built synthetic aperture radar (SAR) on a high-altitude drone, marking the first time a private entity has accomplished this feat globally.

• The SAR, capable of capturing images in cloudy conditions and at night, was tested on a drone that can reach up to 18 km in altitude, known as the High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) platform.
• The initial test at one km altitude, conducted by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratory (CSIR-NAL), paves the way for future tests at higher altitudes, aiming for 7 km.
• The convergence of high-tech functionalities with the HAPS platform aims to enhance national security and intelligence gathering.
• GalaxEye’s innovation aligns with India’s "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiative, promoting technological self-reliance and boosting national defense capabilities.
• The HAPS platform, leveraging solar energy and advanced batteries, offers prolonged aerial surveillance with all-weather, all-time imaging quality.
• While initial tests are promising, further testing is necessary before practical deployment.
• GalaxEye is also developing the world’s first multi-sensor earth observation satellite and has created India’s first UAV SAR system, completing over 200 successful flights.