India’s First PPP Earth Imaging Project: A Milestone Achieved

Introduction to the Earth Observation Satellite System (EOSS)

BENGALURU: A significant milestone has been reached in India’s journey towards enhanced Earth observation capabilities. The country’s first Earth Observation Satellite System (EOSS) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) saw the signing of a crucial concession agreement. This agreement enables the winning consortium to commence operations on the ground, marking a pivotal moment in India’s space sector.

Details of the Concession Agreement

The concession agreement was inked between the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and Allied Orbits, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed by the consortium. This consortium includes prominent players such as Pixxel Space, Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space. The signing took place at IN-SPACe’s office in Bengaluru.

Project Background and Expectations

Originally reported by on January 19, the consortium won the project in August 2025 through a “zero-bid” process. Although the concession agreement was anticipated to be signed within three months, procedural delays pushed its signing to this week.

The project involves the creation of a constellation of 12 satellites, equipped to support a variety of applications. These include:

• Climate change monitoring
• Disaster response
• Agriculture planning
• Infrastructure development
• Maritime operations
• National security

This initiative seeks to fill existing gaps in India’s Earth observation capabilities.

Consortium Responsibilities and Contributions

The consortium will implement the project through Allied Orbits. According to Gaurav Seth, CEO and co-founder of PierSight, each member will play a crucial role:

• PierSight will focus on developing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites.
• Pixxel will create hyperspectral and high-resolution optical satellites.
• Satsure will manufacture multispectral satellites.
• Dhruva will establish ground stations.

Investment and Economic Impact

Over the next four to five years, the consortium is expected to invest more than ₹1,200 crore to build the 12-satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit. This significant investment aims to enhance India’s data sovereignty and reduce its reliance on foreign imagery. Importantly, all satellites will be manufactured in India, launched aboard Indian rockets, and operated from ground infrastructure within the country.

A Shift in India’s Space Policy

IN-SPACe describes this initiative as a paradigm shift in India’s space policy, placing private enterprises at the forefront of developing national capabilities. Alongside fulfilling domestic needs, the consortium is also anticipated to have the opportunity to sell analysis-ready data and value-added services commercially.

Conclusion

The signing of the concession agreement marks a critical step in fostering innovation and growth in India’s space sector. With the support of private enterprises, India is on track to establish a robust Earth observation system that meets national needs while also offering commercial opportunities.