Space technology startup GalaxEye has acquired Bengaluru-based spacecraft engineering company StarOps.

The acquisition brings StarOps’ proprietary technologies, qualified satellite platforms and systems engineering expertise to GalaxEye, along with an experienced engineering team. Several members of the team previously worked at TeamIndus on its Lunar Lander and Rover projects. Their experience across mission design, spacecraft development and end-of-life operations will add to GalaxEye’s capabilities across the satellite value chain.

Founded in 2022, StarOps develops satellite platforms and works on the indigenisation of spacecraft technologies in India. The acquisition adds its experience in satellite design, development and qualification to GalaxEye’s internal capabilities.

StarOps has expertise across spacecraft systems engineering, mission operations, propulsion, avionics, flight computing, guidance and navigation, structures and mechanisms, electrical systems, programme management and ground operations. The company has achieved more than 66% indigenisation across its satellite systems and has developed technologies aimed at reducing dependence on global supply chains.

The acquisition also adds StarOps’ portfolio of spacecraft technologies and engineering capabilities to GalaxEye. This includes qualified satellite bus platforms across the 50 kg, 150 kg and 250 kg classes, proprietary subsystem technologies, qualification heritage, testing infrastructure and engineering tools.

The deal will expand GalaxEye’s in-house engineering capabilities and add spacecraft technologies across multiple stages of the satellite development process. The companies said the integration will support product development, vertical integration and the delivery of end-to-end space missions from concept and development to operations.

Co-founded in 2021 by Suyash Singh, Denil Chawda, Kishan Thakkar, Pranit Mehta, Rakshit Bhatt and Satya Chakravarthy, GalaxEye is developing Earth observation capabilities through its proprietary OptoSAR technology. The technology combines Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical imaging to provide day-and-night and all-weather imaging capabilities.

The acquisition comes amid increased M&A activity in India’s startup ecosystem, with recent transactions spanning fintech, consumer, SaaS, proptech and deep-tech companies. Recent deals include Aurum PropTech’s acquisition of Housing.com for an enterprise value of Rs 458 crore, Meesho’s Rs 202 crore acquisition of Kirana Club, and MoEngage’s acquisition of AI startup Aampe.