Agnikul Cosmos partners with ICEYE to strengthen India's SAR satellite capabilities

New Delhi- Indian private space transportation company Agnikul Cosmos has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with European satellite firm ICEYE to jointly explore the development, launch and operation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Earth observation systems from India.

The partnership will combine ICEYE's expertise in SAR satellite technology and manufacturing with Agnikul's end-to-end responsive launch capabilities, with the aim of building a more self-reliant and integrated space ecosystem in the country.

Srinath Ravichandran, Co-founder and CEO of Agnikul Cosmos, said that developing and launching satellites in India has traditionally depended on foreign technology and timelines beyond the country's control.

Advertisement

"This partnership is about changing that. Critical applications such as disaster response, monitoring sensitive regions and national security require sovereign capabilities, and India should have the infrastructure to support them," he said.

According to Moin SPM, Co-founder and COO of Agnikul Cosmos, the collaboration is designed to go beyond a single mission by creating a repeatable framework that integrates satellite manufacturing, launch services and operations within one ecosystem.

"We can create a repeatable model that supports long-term deployment programmes for customers in India and globally. This is the kind of integrated infrastructure the international space industry increasingly needs," he said.

Rafał Modrzewski, Co-founder and CEO of ICEYE, described India as a strategically important market as countries around the world seek stronger sovereign intelligence capabilities.

"Partnerships built on speed, reliability and long-term execution are becoming increasingly important, and we see significant potential in working together with Agnikul," he said.

The agreement expands Agnikul's portfolio of international collaborations, which already includes customers across India, the Middle East and Australia, as the company works towards becoming a leading global space transportation provider.

For ICEYE, India also offers a key manufacturing base in the Asia-Pacific region, enabling the company to produce satellites for global markets.

ICEYE currently operates the world's largest constellation of SAR satellites, with more than 70 launches to its credit. The company has delivered sovereign satellite constellations to seven European governments, including Poland, Sweden and Germany, with Poland's system deployed within 12 months of signing the contract.

With inputs from IANS