Pixxel, an Indian space tech startup, has successfully launched the first three hyperspectral satellites of its commercial constellation, Firefly, aboard a SpaceX rocket from California.
This marks a significant milestone for India’s growing space ambitions.
India, home to around 300 space startups, has gained global attention for recent achievements, including the successful landing of its lunar spacecraft on the south pole, the launch of a coronagraphy spacecraft, and its partnership with NASA in the Artemis Accords.
Looking ahead, India plans to launch its first human spacecraft mission next year, establish a space station by 2035, and send an astronaut on a three-day moon mission by 2040.
The latest launch marks the beginning of commercial operations for Bengaluru-based Pixxel and took place on Tuesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base, as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-12 rideshare mission.
Hyperspectral satellites have become increasingly popular as large corporations and governments seek data on issues like deforestation, ocean pollution, oil spills, and water quality. While drones can provide some data, satellites are generally more effective and efficient for most of these applications.
The three satellites launched are part of Pixxel’s first commercialization phase, with plans to deploy three more by Q2 and a total of 18 to 24 satellites by 2026-2027, according to the startup’s chief.
“It is the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation and India’s first-ever private commercial constellation,” Pixxel co-founder and CEO Awais Ahmed told TechCrunch.
The startup has secured over 60 customers in recent years, including the Indian agriculture ministry, British Petroleum, and NASA. Some of these customers are already receiving hyperspectral imagery data through demo satellites launched in 2021 and 2022
