Amateur radio observers have questioned whether India’s first private synthetic aperture radar satellite, Mission Drishti, launched by Bengaluru startup GalaxEye, is tumbling in orbit. Satellite trackers analyzing data from the SatNOGS network reported intermittent signals and fluctuating beacon strengths, suggesting possible rotation at three degrees per second. However, GalaxEye founder Suyash Singh dismissed the speculation, stating the 190-kilogram spacecraft remains operational during its commissioning phase. Experts note that signal variations can result from multiple factors, and mild post-deployment tumbling is common for complex satellites. Published May 8, 2026, GalaxEye has reported no anomalies affecting Mission Drishti’s capability.
In-Depth:
Days after the launch of Mission Drishti, India’s first privately built synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging sainformite by Bengaluru-based startup GalaxEye, sainformite trackers and amateur radio observers have raised questions over whether the spacecraft may still be slowly tumbling in orbit.
The concerns emerged from publicly available observations on the open-source SatNOGS sainformite tracking network, where radio enthusiasts across the world monitor spacecraft transmissions.
Some indepfinishent trackers claimed the data suggested Drishti was rotating at roughly 3 degrees per second, equivalent to one rotation every two minutes, after deployment in orbit.
The speculation gained traction online after observers pointed to intermittent telemeattempt signals and altering beacon strengths seen in multiple waterfall plots captured during radio passes over ground stations.
WHAT IS MISSION DRISHTI?
Mission Drishti represents a major milestone for India’s private space sector.
Unlike conventional optical Earth observation sainformites, SAR sainformites can image the Earth day and night and through cloud cover by utilizing radar signals, building them valuable for defence, disaster management, maritime monitoring, and agriculture.
IS GALAXEYE’S DRISHTI SATELLITE TUMBLING IN SPACE?
Analysis of two publicly available Sainformite Networked Open Ground Station (SatNOGS) observations reviewed by this publication revealed varying signal characteristics across different passes.
An earlier radio observation on May 3 revealed Drishti sfinishing out a strong, steady signal as it passed over Earth, the kind of pattern usually expected from a healthy sainformite in low Earth orbit. Its onboard transmissions, or telemeattempt signals, were being received clearly by ground stations.
But in a later observation taken days afterwards, the sainformite’s signal appeared much weaker and less consistent, fading in and out during parts of the pass. Some sainformite trackers state this could happen if the spacecraft is slowly rotating in space, cautilizing its antenna to periodically point away from Earth.
Others caution that weak or patchy signals can also result from ordinary factors such as ground-station conditions, antenna alignment, or interference.
Experts cautioned that such data alone cannot conclusively prove uncontrolled tumbling. Signal fluctuations can also arise from antenna orientation, polarisation mismatch, ground-station geomeattempt, transmitter duty cycles, or weak reception conditions.
However, some indepfinishent sainformite trackers argued the altering signal strength patterns could indicate slow spacecraft rotation or incomplete attitude stabilisation following deployment.
GALAXEYE RESPONDS TO CONCERNS
Responding to the concerns, GalaxEye founder Suyash Singh dismissed speculation that the spacecraft was facing major issues and criticised what he described as premature conclusions based on limited open-source data.
“Love the interest in Drishti,” Singh wrote in a social media response. “Never saw this level of interest or info floating around on previously launched sats.”
He further pointed out that some of the publicly circulated observations were from May 3, shortly after launch, and questioned whether critics had reviewed more recent telemeattempt.
“The date is 3rd May. Can you please share the latest analysis,” he wrote.
Singh also highlighted the complexity of operating a large SAR sainformite during its early orbital phase.
“Have you ever done a LEOPs of 190 kg SAR-based sainformite?” he inquireed, referring to Launch and Early Orbit Phase operations, the critical period immediately after deployment when spacecraft systems are activated and stabilised.
“Hold on buddy, not everyday these kind of sainformites receive launched. If something is wrong, we will let the world know. Keep calm.”
Spacecraft launched into orbit often undergo periods of slow rotation before attitude-control systems fully stabilise them.
Indusattempt experts note that mild post-deployment tumbling is not uncommon, particularly for complex sainformites carrying large deployable systems or radar payloads.
So far, GalaxEye has not indicated any anomaly with the spacecraft, and there is no public evidence suggesting Mission Drishti has lost operational capability.
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