Gujarat Space-Tech Startup PierSight Completes Key Testing of Varuna 2.0 Maritime Surveillance Satellite

Ahmedabad, November 10, 2026: Ahmedabad-based space technology startup PierSight has successfully completed the integration and structural testing of the qualification model of its first commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Automatic Identification System (AIS) satellite, Varuna 2.0, marking a significant milestone in its planned maritime surveillance satellite programme.

The company announced that the Structural Qualification Model (SQM) of Varuna 2.0 has been successfully integrated and has cleared vibration testing at the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Ahmedabad.

The qualification model is designed to validate the satellite’s structural integrity and engineering configuration before the development of its actual flight hardware. Such testing helps establish whether the spacecraft can withstand the mechanical stresses and vibrations encountered during launch.

Varuna 2.0 will combine two technologies — Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and the Automatic Identification System (AIS) — to monitor maritime activity across oceans. While SAR uses radar signals to capture images of the Earth’s surface, including under cloud cover and in darkness, AIS receives identification and location information transmitted by ships.

Combining the two technologies will allow the system to identify vessels detected through radar imagery but not transmitting corresponding AIS signals. This could help identify ships that switch off their tracking transponders to avoid detection, commonly referred to as dark vessels.

The proposed satellite constellation is intended to support several applications, including surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), monitoring illegal fishing, detecting oil spills and unauthorised dumping, tracking ship movements and patterns, and providing data for maritime insurance.

PierSight’s long-term plan is to establish a 32-satellite Varuna constellation to provide persistent maritime surveillance. A larger network of satellites would enable more frequent observations of ocean regions and improve the availability of maritime intelligence for government agencies and commercial operators.

The company has previously announced plans to launch Varuna 2.0 in 2027. In September 2026, Norwegian satellite services company Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) announced its intention to evaluate PierSight’s maritime SAR and AIS data for potential integration into its Vake maritime surveillance platform. The proposed collaboration is aimed at improving the detection and monitoring of vessels, including those operating without active AIS transmissions.

PierSight was founded in Ahmedabad in 2023 by Gaurav Seth and Vinit Bansal. The startup is developing application-specific SAR systems for maritime surveillance and other Earth observation requirements.

Its first Varuna technology demonstrator was launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C60 mission on December 30, 2024, as part of the POEM-4 orbital platform. The mission enabled the company to demonstrate key technologies for its planned commercial satellite programme.

Beyond maritime surveillance, PierSight is also developing SAR technologies for other applications. In June 2026, it introduced Vidura, a foliage-penetrating radar payload designed for ground-based defence applications.

The latest testing milestone moves Varuna 2.0 forward in its development programme as the Ahmedabad startup works towards building an indigenous satellite network focused on maritime domain awareness. DeshGujarat