Special Report: Indian firm develops satellite-based thermal sensing for missile detection

Thermal sensing data shows hotspots across a landscape in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. (SatLeo Labs)

An Indian startup is developing space-based thermal observation systems designed to detect missile launches in hotspots and conflict zones.

Speaking to Janes , Shravan Bhati, the co-founder and CEO of SatLeo Labs, said the recent United States-Israel war with Iran from 28 February to 8 April demonstrated how infrared sensors could be employed to detect missile launches.

Founded in 2023 and based in Ahmedabad, India, the company plans to deploy a constellation of 15 satellites to support thermal sensing applications for both military and civilian users. Bhati said the technology is capable of rapidly identifying heat signatures associated with surface-launched missiles, as well as determining whether strategic infrastructure such as nuclear reactors is operational by analysing thermal output.

“Extremely high-temperature sources, such as those exceeding 1,000°C, are particularly easy to detect due to their strong radiative contrast. Any object generating significant heat stands out distinctly in the thermal band, allowing for reliable identification even against complex backgrounds,” he said.

Bhati added that thermal sensing can “rapidly identify the origin of missiles… as the thermal plume and heat source are captured in near real time”.

He said SatLeo Labs is also employing open-source thermal signature data to support the identification of ground combat vehicle types, based on heat emissions associated with specific metals and components.

Capabilities

While space-based thermal imaging is not a new capability, Bhati said SatLeo Labs' satellite payloads will generate datasets from three sources: a dual-band medium-wave infrared (MWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensor, and a visible-band camera.