In a landmark achievement for the Indian private space sector, Azista Industries, a private space manufacturing firm based in Ahmedabad, has successfully captured images of the International Space Station (ISS) from its own satellite. This feat marks the first time an Indian private company has demonstrated the ability to image an object in orbit from another satellite, significantly boosting India's space situational awareness (SSA) and orbital monitoring capabilities.

The experiment was conducted on February 3, 2026, involving two carefully orchestrated orbital passes. Azista's Earth observation satellite, named AFR, weighing approximately 80 kilograms, was tasked with tracking the fast-moving ISS under challenging conditions, including near-horizon visibility and direct sunlight. Launched on June 13, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the AFR satellite successfully captured 15 distinct image frames across the two attempts.

During the first imaging pass, AFR observed the ISS from a distance of roughly 300 kilometers. The second attempt was made at a closer range of about 245 kilometers. Both exercises achieved complete success, with an imaging sampling resolution of approximately 2.2 meters, confirming the satellite's electro-optical precision and real-time tasking capability.

This "in-orbit snooping" capability is a significant advancement for India, allowing for the monitoring of complex orbital objects, which is crucial for protecting the nation's valuable space assets. Srinivas Reddy, Managing Director of Azista, stated that this test validates the company's "Non-Earth Imaging" (NEI) capabilities, enabling the satellite to observe other orbital assets rather than just the Earth's surface. Experts suggest that while the current resolution is modest, the underlying technology forms the backbone for more advanced surveillance, including the monitoring of potentially hostile satellites.

The ability to monitor other satellites in real-time is becoming increasingly vital for modern defense, especially as low-Earth orbit (LEO) becomes more congested and militarized. The capacity to detect close maneuvers, potential interference, or jamming attempts is crucial for safeguarding national assets. This achievement aligns with India's broader national goals, with plans to launch a constellation of over 50 surveillance-capable satellites in the next five years, with significant private sector participation to reduce dependence on foreign intelligence.

Azista Industries, through its aerospace division, Azista BST Aerospace, operates Asia's first private satellite mass-manufacturing factory in Ahmedabad. Following this success, the company is reportedly developing next-generation sensors to achieve finer orbital imagery, with a target resolution of 25 cm. This advancement aims to provide India with a robust, indigenous "space watch" system, ensuring independent monitoring of sensitive orbital activities across various altitudes.