Agnikul Cosmos and ICEYE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of an integrated sovereign Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) earth observation capability in India. The collaboration seeks to combine satellite manufacturing, launch services and mission operations within a single domestic ecosystem, strengthening India’s independent space infrastructure.
The proposed partnership will bring together ICEYE’s globally proven SAR satellite technology and Agnikul Cosmos’ responsive launch platform to establish an end-to-end solution for building, launching and operating earth observation satellites from India. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on overseas launch schedules while supporting national requirements for space-based intelligence and remote sensing.
The collaboration is expected to focus on satellites manufactured in India using ICEYE’s expertise and launched aboard Agnikul’s indigenous rockets. The companies also plan to evaluate a repeatable satellite-to-launch model that can support long-term deployment programmes for both Indian and international customers.
Srinath Ravichandran, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Agnikul Cosmos, said India has long depended on foreign technologies and external launch schedules for privately developed satellite missions. He noted that the proposed partnership seeks to build sovereign capabilities that are critical for applications such as disaster management, border surveillance, environmental monitoring and national security, enabling India to control the complete value chain from manufacturing to launch.
Moin SPM, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Agnikul Cosmos, said the partnership is designed to extend beyond individual missions by creating an integrated framework for satellite production, launch and operations. He added that such a model would support continuous deployment programmes while addressing the growing global demand for responsive and reliable space infrastructure.
Rafał Modrzewski, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of ICEYE, said India is emerging as an important market for sovereign space intelligence solutions. He noted that partnerships built on speed, execution and long-term collaboration will play a vital role in meeting the increasing global demand for independent earth observation capabilities.
The agreement expands Agnikul’s international commercial collaborations across India, the Middle East and Australia while supporting its ambition to become a leading global launch service provider. For ICEYE, the partnership strengthens plans to establish India as an Asia-Pacific manufacturing hub capable of producing SAR satellites for domestic programmes as well as export markets.
ICEYE currently operates the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation, with more than 70 satellites launched and sovereign satellite systems delivered to seven European governments. Agnikul, meanwhile, has developed reusable launch infrastructure centred on single-piece 3D-printed rocket engines that significantly reduce manufacturing timelines.
The collaboration was announced during BharatInnovates in Nice, France, where Agnikul represented India as the country’s only launch vehicle company showcasing fully reusable rocket technology before global industry leaders and government representatives.
