How Indian satellite ‘Drishti’ could change the way the world sees Earth

Rajesh Sharma & Bansri ShahTIMESOFINDIA.COM
May 8, 2026 | 15:21 IST
(Images: GalaxEye & SpaceX)

Unlike traditional Earth observation systems that rely on either optical or radar imaging, Mission Drishti combines both to deliver clear, real-time insights in any condition — day, night, or bad weather. Here’s why it matters.

Consider a flood situation in Assam. Thick cloud cover can obscure the view from traditional optical satellites, making it difficult to assess the scale of damage on the ground. Radar satellites, on the other hand, can penetrate clouds and track the spread of floodwaters, but the images they produce are often less intuitive and harder to interpret.

A new Indian satellite aims to bridge this gap in real time — and could reshape the way Earth is observed from space.
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