India Inks Final Pact for Its First Public-Private Earth Imaging Satellite Project

India has signed the final agreement for its first PPP Earth imaging project, marking a major boast to private participation in space infrastructure.

India has taken a major leap in its space sector with the formal signing of the final concession agreement for its first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Earth Observation Satellite System (EOSS) project, marking a new era of private sector participation in national space infrastructure.

Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and a private consortium- led by Bengaluru- based space technology company Pixxel- have inked the pact that will see an indigenous Earth imaging network developed, deployed and operated by Indian industry under a structured PPP model.

A New National Satellite System Under Private Leadership

Under the agreement, the private consortium has the mandate to design, build, own and operate India’s first privately led national Earth observation satellite system- a constellation of 12 advanced satellites scheduled to be launched progressively over the next three to five years.

The participating companies include:

• Pixxel (lead)
• Dhruva Space
• PierSight
• SatSure

Together, they bring expertise in satellite hardware, imagining payloads, analytics and mission operations.

Strategic Importance of the Project

Officials and industry leaders have described the signing as a watershed moment for India’s space ecosystem– shifting the country’s Earth observation capabilities from being government-centric to a sovereign infrastructure led by Indian private enterprise.

Investment and Capabilities

The project involves a combined investment exceeding 1,200 crore, with the consortium undertaking the bulk of funding and development. The satellites will be equipped with a suite of sensors- including optical, multispectral, hyperspectral and synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) – capable of capturing continuous, high-resolution Earth imaging for a wide range of applications.

Applications and Benefits

Once operational, the constellation will provide a host of benefits:

• Agriculture monitoring (crop health, yield forecasting)
• Disaster response and mitigation
• Climate and environmental monotoring
• Urban planning and infrastructure management
• Maritime and border surveillance
• Support for national security and strategic decision-making

By enabling availability of high-quality imaging data, the project also aims to reduce India’s dependence on foreign satellite data and bolster domestic industries that rely on geospatial intelligence.

A shift in India’s Space Policy

The PPP Earth observation satellite project reflects India’s evolving space policy, which now actively encourages private participation in areas previously dominated by public agencies like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The move is part of a broader push to accelerate innovation, build global competitiveness and expand India’s footprint in the global space economy.