A major leap in India’s space journey is underway, as a private consortium has been chosen to deliver the country’s first Earth Observation Satellite System (EOSS). Comprising SatSure, Pixxel, PierSight, and Dhruva Space, the group will develop a 12-satellite constellation over the next four to five years, with an estimated investment exceeding ₹1,200 crores.
This landmark project is part of the Earth Observation Public-Private Partnership (EO-PPP) initiative led by IN-SPACe, the government’s space sector regulator, marking a significant shift in how India approaches large-scale space infrastructure. The selected consortium will design, build, operate, and commercialize the constellation to serve both national and international Earth observation needs.
Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairperson of IN-SPACe, described the EO-PPP model as a pivotal development in India’s space sector “This is a defining moment for the private space ecosystem in India. It reflects growing confidence in our companies to take on ambitious, high-tech projects that serve strategic and commercial purposes. The collaboration between public and private sectors will spur innovation, growth, and greater self-reliance.”
The constellation will feature multi-sensor capabilities, including panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instruments, allowing it to operate in all weather conditions and provide high-resolution data around the clock.
Prateep Basu, CEO of SatSure, emphasized the importance of this opportunit “This partnership allows us to contribute meaningfully to India’s independent space-based intelligence capacity. Alongside Pixxel, PierSight, and Dhruva Space, we’re delivering a powerful, collaborative solution that not only meets India’s needs but sets a precedent for the role of private firms in national missions. SatSure, through its subsidiary KaleidEO, will commercialize advanced optical and multispectral payloads that offer wide coverage with sub-meter resolution.”
Pixxel, the project lead, will integrate its hyperspectral imaging capabilities into the constellation.
Awais Ahmed, CEO of Pixxel, said “Each partner brings a unique strength: Pixxel’s hyperspectral imaging, Dhruva’s expertise in satellite systems and ground operations, SatSure’s geospatial analytics, and PierSight’s SAR-based maritime monitoring. This fusion of capabilities is building a truly indigenous and flexible Earth observation system that addresses national priorities and global applications.”
Sanjay Nekkanti, CEO of Dhruva Space, shared details on the company’s infrastructure “Our upcoming manufacturing facility in Telangana, covering 280,000 sq. ft, will boost our capacity to deliver specialized satellites and mission-critical systems. We’re also equipped to provide end-to-end ground infrastructure, ensuring secure and efficient operations across the satellite network.”
Gaurav Seth, CEO of PierSight, highlighted the importance of SAR technology “With SAR, the system operates day and night, in any weather. Our goal is to offer ready-to-use radar data with minimal delay, providing actionable alerts and verified intelligence—not just raw imagery.”
This program not only strengthens India’s technological autonomy but also supports the development of a sustainable Earth Intelligence ecosystem. SatSure’s capabilities in AI-driven image processing and decision intelligence will help transform satellite data into clear, real-world insights that are directly useful across industries like agriculture, defense, and disaster response.
SatSure provides global Earth intelligence solutions, combining satellite imagery with AI, remote sensing, and geospatial analytics. With KaleidEO, its satellite technology arm, SatSure develops advanced optical and multispectral payloads to deliver scalable, end-to-end services from data collection to actionable insights.
Pixxel is building a global hyperspectral imaging network through a planned fleet of 18–24 satellites. These provide ultra-detailed imagery for industries such as mining, agriculture, and environmental monitoring, enabling early detection and predictive analytics at a global scale.
Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space delivers comprehensive space engineering solutions, including satellites, launch services, and ground stations. It serves both civilian and defense clients and offers integrated packages or modular components for space-based systems.
PierSight focuses on maritime intelligence using SAR satellites, offering continuous visibility over oceanic activity. Its services support sectors such as shipping, defense, insurance, and oil and gas by tracking and analyzing maritime assets worldwide.
