For Nation’s First Private L-band SAR Satellite
Catalyst for Innovation
Indian space and defense technology startup, Sisir Radar, has secured $7 million in a Series A funding round, led by Mumbai-based 360 ONE Asset and existing investor Shastra VC. This significant investment is earmarked to fast-track the development and ensure the timely launch of India’s first privately built L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite by 2026.
- Fostering Indian innovation and self-reliance in critical space technologies.
- Positioning Kolkata as an emerging hub for advanced Earth observation.
- Follows a previous $1.5 million seed round in February 2025.
The Vision: India’s Private SAR Pioneer
The L-band SAR satellite is slated for orbit by 2026, poised to make a significant leap in global Earth observation capabilities. Unlike traditional optical satellites, SAR technology provides continuous, high-resolution imagery, entirely unaffected by adverse weather conditions or the absence of daylight.
The strategic emphasis on L-band SAR is particularly relevant given India’s diverse and complex geographical conditions, offering unparalleled insights into various terrains and phenomena.
Demystifying L-band SAR
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a sophisticated remote sensing technology that harnesses radar signals to generate highly detailed images of the Earth’s surface. A key advantage of SAR is its ability to operate 24/7, impervious to atmospheric conditions like clouds, fog, or darkness.
L-band SAR, specifically, employs longer wavelengths (approximately 15-30 cm). This longer wavelength is crucial as it allows signals to penetrate dense vegetation canopies and even, to some extent, the ground surface. This unique penetration capability facilitates interaction with larger tree branches, trunks, and sub-canopy features, yielding vital insights that are unattainable with shorter-wavelength SAR systems.
Key Applications of L-band SAR
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Environmental Monitoring
- Forest biomass & canopy height
- Deforestation & climate change
- Wetland health monitoring
- Land cover change detection
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Disaster Management
- Rapid disaster response
- Comprehensive flood mapping
- Hurricane damage assessment
- Landslide tracking
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National Security & Defense
- All-weather surveillance
- Border monitoring
- Protection of strategic assets
- Situational awareness
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Urban Planning & Infra
- Infrastructure stability monitoring
- Ground deformation detection
- Urban sprawl assessment
- Urban development and housing management
The continuous, all-weather data stream from L-band SAR is indispensable for timely decision-making in challenging environments and for safeguarding national interests.
Leadership & Vision
Headquartered in Kolkata, Sisir Radar is spearheaded by its visionary founder, Dr. Tapan Misra. As a former Director at ISRO’s Space Applications Centre and a key architect of India’s RISAT SAR mission, Dr. Misra brings decades of unparalleled experience and expertise to the private sector.
The company’s ambitious vision is to develop indigenously designed and engineered L- and P-band SAR systems, aiming to achieve some of the world’s highest resolutions in these frequency bands. This $7 million Series A funding will be instrumental in significantly accelerating development towards the crucial 2026 launch target.
Kolkata: An Emerging Spacetech Hub
Sisir Radar’s base of operations in Kolkata, at Rishi Tower in Newtown, significantly contributes to solidifying the city’s rapidly growing role in advanced technology and innovation. While traditional hubs like Bangalore and Hyderabad have long dominated India’s spacetech landscape, Kolkata’s startup ecosystem is now gaining considerable traction.
This geographical diversification is key to fostering regional growth and broadly distributing technological prowess across India. The presence of a high-profile deep-tech company like Sisir Radar is poised to attract both top-tier talent and further investment, thereby strengthening Kolkata’s strategic position in the national tech arena.
India’s Expanding Spacetech Ecosystem
Sisir Radar is an integral part of India’s rapidly expanding spacetech ecosystem. This dynamic environment, characterized by both collaboration and healthy competition, is propelling India towards global leadership in space technology.
Notable Players:
- GalaxEye: Developer of India’s first drone-borne SAR; testing SAR on High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS).
- PierSight: Building a constellation for persistent ocean monitoring using SAR and AIS technology.
- Ananth Technologies & XDLINX Labs: Key partners collaborating with Sisir Radar, providing satellite manufacturing and supply chain integration support.
Indigenous, privately-built SAR satellites will serve India’s critical needs in environmental monitoring and national security, while also positioning India as a global provider of advanced Earth observation data.
A New Era for Earth Observation
The $7 million funding and the 2026 timeline for Sisir Radar’s L-band SAR satellite represent a significant leap for India. This mission will provide crucial capabilities for enhanced environmental monitoring, effective disaster response, and bolstering national security through all-weather, high-resolution imagery.
This development signifies a new era of self-reliance and technological leadership for India in the global space industry. Continuous investment in such ventures offers unparalleled data insights for a safer, more sustainable planet, especially in the context of challenges like climate change and geopolitical landscapes impacting traditional data sources.
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