Azista Space Demonstrates Space Situational Awareness (SSA)/Non-Earth Imaging (NEI) using AFR: Imaging the International Space Station (ISS)!

Azista Space successfully executed a challenging near-horizon demonstration targeting the International Space Station (ISS). Operating in sunlit conditions at ranges of approximately 250 km and 300 km, the AFR sensor was precisely tasked to track the ISS, capturing it in 15 distinct frames. Two independent attempts were conducted, both achieving 100% success. (Attempt-1: Range ~300 km; Event UTC: 2026-02-03T09:22:49.654 & Attempt-2: Range ~245 km; Event UTC: 2026-02-03T10:09:28.853)

The resulting acquisition resulted in the image with ~2.2m sampling, validating our tracking algorithms and imaging precision. To our knowledge, AFR is the only Indian built and operated satellite to have demonstrated such a feat.

Azista Space also brings strong electro-optical payload, image processing and satellite bus engineering capabilities, enabling the design, development, and delivery of end-to-end SSA satellites and payloads tailored to customer mission requirements.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Srinivas Reddy, Managing Director, Azista Space, said:

“AFR today supports multiple customers with advanced imaging and remote-sensing solutions and has successfully demonstrated Non-Earth Imaging (NEI) using fully indigenous algorithms and electro-optical systems developed in India. These technologies form the backbone of our NEI and SSA payloads, enabling precise tracking and characterization of objects in orbit.

Azista is currently building next-generation indigenous payloads for its customers, capable of generating imagery of the International Space Station at resolutions of up to 25 cm, to be rolled out from its upcoming EO payload manufacturing facility in Ahmedabad. By designing and producing these payloads domestically, we are strengthening India’s ability to independently monitor its space assets, assess potential threats, and safeguard national interests in space without reliance on external systems.”

Azista Space remains committed to advancing indigenous SSA solutions that strengthen space safety, resilience, and autonomous monitoring capabilities.

These images display the International Space Station resolved at a ~300km range, capturing the core structure of ISS with ~2.2m sampling resolution. The sequence demonstrates the AFR-1 sensor's precision during near-horizon tracking in sunlit conditions, both raw montages and enhanced frames (colour and panchromatic) highlight the successful acquisition.