Sisir Radar Raises $7 Million Series A to Build India’s First Private L-Band SAR Satellite

Main Article
Tue, Jan 13, 06:49 PM IST

Kolkata-based space and defence technology startup Sisir Radar has raised $7 million in a Series A funding round, led by 360 ONE Asset, with participation from Shastra VC. The funding marks a major milestone not just for the company, but also for India’s rapidly evolving private space ecosystem.

 

Founded by Dr. Tapan Misra, former Director of ISRO’s Space Applications Centre, along with Soumya Misra and Urmi Bhambhani Misra, Sisir Radar is on a mission to build India’s first privately developed L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, a capability that has so far largely remained within the government domain.

 

What Makes This Milestone Significant?

 

The fresh capital will be used to accelerate the design, engineering, and launch of the satellite by end-2026, in collaboration with XDLINX Space Labs. Once operational, the satellite will deliver 0.75-metre resolution imagery with all-weather, day-and-night observation capabilities.

 

Unlike optical satellites, L-band SAR systems can see through clouds, rain, smoke, and even dense vegetation, making them critically important for strategic and civilian applications.

 

Key Applications of the L-band SAR Satellite

 

  • Defence & National Security: Enhanced border surveillance, maritime monitoring, and reconnaissance
  • Disaster Management: Real-time assessment during floods, cyclones, landslides, and earthquakes
  • Environmental Monitoring: Tracking deforestation, soil moisture, and climate-related changes
  • Next-Gen Aerial & Unmanned Systems: Supporting UAVs and advanced intelligence platforms with reliable data

 

These capabilities are increasingly vital as India strengthens its focus on strategic autonomy and indigenous defence technologies.

 

Kolkata’s Growing Deep-Tech Footprint

 

Sisir Radar’s success is another strong signal that Kolkata is emerging as a hub for deep-tech, space, and defence innovation. With a legacy of scientific excellence and a new generation of startups pushing boundaries, the city is playing a meaningful role in shaping India’s future in advanced technologies.

 

A Big Leap for India’s Private Space Sector

 

As India opens up its space sector to private players, startups like Sisir Radar are demonstrating how homegrown innovation can complement national missions, reduce dependency on foreign systems, and build world-class capabilities from within the country.

 

This funding round is more than a business milestone; it’s a step towards a more self-reliant, technologically empowered India, with Kolkata proudly contributing to the journey.

 

From the City of Joy to orbit, Kolkata is aiming for the stars