DRDO's IRDE Develops Indigenous Ultra-Wide-Field Telescope Array to Strengthen Space Surveillance

India is advancing its space surveillance capabilities as the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE) works on an indigenous ultra-wide-field telescope array designed to detect and track objects orbiting Earth. Under the programme, an industry partner will manufacture the optical systems based on IRDE’s design reviews and technical supervision. Each unit will feature four 250 mm off-axis reflective telescopes operating at an f/1.64 focal ratio, delivering a field of view of at least 12 degrees.

The system’s optical design includes a dichroic beam splitter that separates visible-to-near-infrared (Visible-NIR) light from short-wave infrared (SWIR) wavelengths. This arrangement will enable simultaneous observations across multiple spectral bands, potentially improving the detection and tracking of orbital objects under different lighting conditions.

Each telescope unit will also incorporate two 50 mm refractive telescopes, each offering a field of view of 48 degrees or more. These wide-angle instruments are intended to scan large sections of the sky, helping identify potential targets quickly and supporting broader orbital surveillance operations.

According to the programme timeline, the prototype is scheduled for delivery within 18 months of the contract award, while a fully operational system is expected within 24 months. Designing a 250 mm aperture telescope with an f/1.64 focal ratio while maintaining a flat image field across 12 degrees presents a considerable optical engineering challenge. Such specifications are suited to wide-area surveillance applications that require the rapid detection, acquisition and tracking of objects across extensive portions of the sky.

The initiative forms part of India's broader efforts to develop indigenous Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities. IRDE has also participated in collaborative initiatives to strengthen ground-based space surveillance infrastructure, highlighting the country's growing emphasis on domestically developed electro-optical technologies.

The telescope array could provide a wide-area search capability to help monitor an increasingly crowded orbital environment, including satellites, space debris and other objects in Earth orbit. The programme also reflects India's ambition to strengthen its domestic space-monitoring infrastructure and reduce dependence on external tracking networks.

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