• ISRO will launch three new satellites—NVS-03, NVS-04, and NVS-05—by 2026 to restore full functionality to India’s regional navigation system, NavIC.

• Only four of the original IRNSS satellites remain operational, prompting efforts to reduce reliance on foreign systems and strengthen national navigation infrastructure.

• India and the U.S. will launch the jointly developed NISAR Earth observation satellite on July 30, offering open-access data for climate, agriculture, and disaster management worldwide.

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PRESS RELEASE — India is taking steps to strengthen its satellite infrastructure on two fronts: expanding its indigenous navigation satellite system and launching a major Earth observation mission in collaboration with the United States.

According to a recent post from Indian Express, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch three additional satellites for its Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) by 2026. The first of these, NVS-03, is slated for launch by the end of this year, with NVS-04 and NVS-05 to follow at six-month intervals. The announcement was made in a written response to Parliament by Union Minister of State for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh.

IRNSS, also known operationally as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), was originally envisioned as a seven-satellite constellation providing navigation coverage over India and a 1,500 km radius around it. While 11 satellites have been launched to date, only four are currently operational. Two satellites failed to reach their intended orbits, and one, NVS-02, launched in January during ISRO’s 100th mission, suffered a technical malfunction during orbit-raising and could not be placed in its designated slot.

The new batch of satellites will help restore full functionality to the NavIC system, which provides regional positioning services similar to GPS and Galileo but tailored for Indian strategic and civilian use. The move comes amid broader efforts to reduce reliance on foreign navigation systems and enhance resilience for national security, transportation, and disaster response.

Meanwhile, India is also preparing for the upcoming launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, scheduled for July 30 at 17:40 IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. As reported by DD News, this joint initiative between NASA and ISRO is a milestone in international Earth observation cooperation and space technology transfer.

NISAR is the first Earth observation satellite co-developed by the two agencies, with a combined investment exceeding $1.5 billion. The 2,392-kg satellite will be deployed into a sun-synchronous orbit aboard the GSLV-F16 rocket—the first time India’s GSLV has been used for this orbital configuration. The satellite’s payload includes dual-frequency synthetic aperture radars: an L-band SAR supplied by NASA and an S-band SAR developed by ISRO, mounted on a 12-meter deployable antenna.

The mission will provide global revisit data every 12 days, enabling frequent observation of Earth’s land and ice surfaces. With an open-data policy, NISAR will make its data publicly available within 24 to 48 hours, and in near-real time during emergencies. This capability is expected to support applications in climate monitoring, agriculture, and disaster management across both developed and developing countries.

Describing the launch as a “defining moment in India-US space cooperation,” Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the broader impact of the mission. “NISAR will not only serve India and the United States but will also provide critical data for countries around the world,” he stated. The initiative is seen as a tangible example of India’s growing participation in global science efforts and its evolving role as a technology partner to the international community.

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• Saudi-based space analytics startup SARsatX has secured $2.6 million in seed funding to expand its Earth Observation (EO) analytics capabilities and accelerate integration with satellite infrastructure.
• The round was led by TONOMUS, the cognitive technology arm of NEOM, with participation from Wa’ed Ventures (Aramco’s venture capital arm), Access Bridge Ventures, and KAUST Innovation Ventures, reflecting growing investor interest in regional EO technologies.
• SARsatX aims to deploy AI-driven insights to support sectors such as environmental protection, agriculture, energy, and national security, with expansion plans across Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 development goals.

PRESS RELEASE – Saudi-based space analytics startup SARsatX has successfully closed a $2.6 million seed funding round, led by TONOMUS – the cognitive technology arm of NEOM – with participation from Wa’ed Ventures (Aramco’s venture capital arm), Access Bridge Ventures, and KAUST Innovation Ventures.

This milestone marks a significant step forward for SARsatX as it aims to enhance its Earth Observation (EO) analytics capabilities and accelerate the integration of its advanced data insights with satellite assets. The funding will help position SARsatX as a key player in the EO sector in the Middle East and North Africa, with ambitions to expand into Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and beyond. The company’s mission is to support critical sectors such as environmental protection, agriculture, energy, and security.

This successful round reflects investor confidence in SARsatX’s vision and its potential to transform how satellite data is utilized to support sustainable development and smarter decision-making.

Dr. Ahmed Alzubairi, Co-founder and CEO of SARsatX, commented:

“We deeply value the trust placed in us by our partners. This funding will help us realize our vision of becoming the region’s leading provider of EO solutions. We are committed to leveraging AI and big data analytics to deliver actionable insights that support sustainable growth and align with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”

Dr. Muhannad Almutiry, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer, added:

“EO analytics unlock massive potential across urban planning, precision agriculture, resource management, disaster response, and more. With this funding, SARsatX will broaden the practical use of satellite data through innovative technologies that meet the growing needs of these vital sectors and promote efficiency and sustainability throughout the region.”

The strategic involvement of leading investors highlights the importance of this round. As the lead investor, TONOMUS brings deep expertise in advanced technologies and a strong track record in supporting innovative startups building a knowledge-based economy. Wa’ed Ventures’ participation reflects the growing interest of the energy sector in supporting the localization of space technologies. Meanwhile, Access Bridge Ventures and KAUST Innovation Ventures underline the growing appeal of space tech as an emerging investment field in the Kingdom and the region, driven by strong research and innovation ecosystems like that of KAUST.

SARsatX is also proud to be the first MENA-based space startup to graduate from the globally recognized Seraphim Space Accelerator, enabling it to build strategic partnerships across Europe and the United States and localize cutting-edge space technology.

SARsatX’s journey is only beginning — guided by a clear mission and a firm belief in the power of space data to create meaningful impact here on Earth. The company extends its sincere gratitude to its dedicated team and strategic partners for their unwavering support in achieving this milestone.