GalaxEye Secures US Patent for Hybrid Satellite Imaging System

Indian space technology startup GalaxEye has been granted a US patent for a system that synchronises optical and radar sensors aboard satellites. The Bengaluru-based company announced the development on Tuesday, positioning itself to compete more aggressively in the rapidly expanding Earth observation sector.

The patented technology allows satellites to capture precisely aligned images of the same location using both sensor types simultaneously. This dual-mode approach ensures reliable data collection even under cloud cover or in darkness, addressing a key limitation of optical-only systems.

GalaxEye CEO Suyash Singh said the patent enables the company to serve global markets with weather-agnostic imaging capabilities across multiple sectors. The technology is expected to find applications in security, agriculture, insurance, and disaster response.

The commercial satellite imaging market was valued at $6.55 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $20.15 billion by 2033, according to research firm SkyQuest Technology.

Founded by engineers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, GalaxEye has raised approximately $21 million in funding to date. The startup plans to deploy a constellation of 30 satellites over the next five years, backed by a growing pipeline of domestic and international customers.

In a related move, GalaxEye acquired Bengaluru-based spacecraft engineering firm StarOps in August to bolster its in-house manufacturing and satellite system capabilities.

The development comes as India pushes to grow its commercial space industry to $44 billion within the decade, with the government actively encouraging private sector participation in the space economy.