Pixxel, an Indian space business, has been awarded a NASA contract to support hyperspectral Earth science research.
Following the space industry’s opening to the private sector in 2020, the Bengaluru-based startup has secured a spot in NASA’s $476 million commercial smallsat data collecting program, a first for an Indian venture.
Awais Ahmed, the CEO and co-founder, referred to the honour as a “monumental achievement for Pixxel.”
“It validates that hyperspectral imaging will be integral to the future of space-based Earth observation and enable us to truly build a health monitor for the planet,” he added, referring to the contract, which is valid until November 2028.
Per the agreement, Pixxel will supply hyperspectral Earth observation data to NASA, the US government, and its academic partners. This will support the administration’s efforts in Earth science application and research.
Data can be captured using hundreds of narrow wavelengths with Pixxel hyperspectral. Among other topics, its datasets can provide detailed insights on resource management, biodiversity, agriculture, and climate change.
Pixxel is building on this momentum by making major progress towards the imminent launch of six satellites. The highest-resolution hyperspectral satellites ever launched will be called Fireflies, and they will have a 5-meter resolution.
Over 250 spectral bands will be covered by these satellites’ data collection, providing more thorough coverage with a 40 km swath width and a 24-hour revisit frequency anywhere in the world.
Pixxel also intends to increase the number of satellites in its constellation to 24 in order to produce hyperspectral data for commercial use. As a result, it will be more widely accessible to stakeholders from a variety of businesses and governmental bodies.
The highest-resolution hyperspectral imaging satellites in the world, built for 24-hour revisits anywhere on Earth, are part of Pixxel’s constellation.
In up to 50 times more detail, the satellites can assist in the detection, monitoring, and prediction of important worldwide phenomena in the mining, oil and gas, agricultural, environment, and other sectors.
Additionally, Pixxel has introduced Aurora, an internal Earth Observation Studio, to facilitate the accessibility of satellite images analysis.
Additionally, the business has received approximately $70 million in funding from a number of sources, including Google, Lightspeed, Jordan Noone of Relativity, Seraphim Capital, Ryan Johnson, Blume Ventures, Sparta LLC, Accenture, and others.
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