A Bengaluru deep-tech startup is drawing attention for building an advanced unmanned aircraft designed to transform Earth observation. Arctus Aerospace has developed the AX1 long-endurance UAV, capable of flying for nearly 24 hours at high altitudes.
Founded by Shreepoorna S. Rao, the company is focused on delivering real-time geospatial intelligence without depending on expensive satellite systems or large ground infrastructure.
A smarter alternative to satellites
Traditional satellites provide wide coverage but are costly and cannot continuously observe one specific location. Conventional drones, meanwhile, often lack the altitude and endurance needed for large-scale monitoring.
The AX1 aims to bridge that gap by operating at heights of up to 45,000 feet while staying airborne for extended periods.
Powerful features of AX1
The UAV can reportedly carry payloads of up to 250 kilograms, allowing it to host multiple sensing systems such as multispectral, hyperspectral, electro-optical, infrared and synthetic aperture radar technologies.
This makes the aircraft useful for sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, disaster response, climate monitoring, energy and security.
Why AX1 stands out
Its biggest strengths include long endurance, high-resolution imaging and near-continuous coverage of selected areas. The aircraft is also designed for low infrastructure deployment, making it valuable for remote and underserved regions.
Compared to satellite imaging, such UAV systems can reduce costs while improving flexibility and speed.
Funding boost and future plans
The startup gained momentum in 2025 after securing around $2.6 million in pre-seed funding from global investors. The support has helped accelerate flight testing and manufacturing expansion.
Arctus Aerospace now aims to deploy fleets of such aircraft globally, offering on-demand observation services that combine the reach of satellites with the agility of drones