Pixxel, a Bengaluru-based startup specialising in hyperspectral earth-imaging technology, has clinched a landmark deal with NASA. This contract, part of NASA’s $476-million commercial smallsat data acquisition program, marks the first major deal by an Indian startup since the space sector opened to private companies in 2020.
Contract Details and Duration
The agreement extends through November 2028. Pixxel will supply NASA, along with US government and academic partners, with hyperspectral earth observation data. This will enhance NASA’s earth science research and application activities.
Impact of Hyperspectral Data
Pixxel’s technology, capable of capturing data across numerous narrow wavelengths, will provide detailed insights into climate change, agriculture, biodiversity, and resource management. Awais Ahmed, co-founder and CEO of Pixxel, emphasized that this achievement underscores the critical role of hyperspectral imaging in future space-based earth observation.
Future Developments
Pixxel is also advancing with the launch of its Fireflies satellites, which will feature 5-meter resolution hyperspectral imaging. These satellites, set to be the highest-resolution of their kind, will cover 250 spectral bands, with a 40 km swath width and 24-hour revisit frequency globally.
Expanding Satellite Constellation
The company plans to launch six additional satellites soon and aims to expand its constellation to 24 satellites. This expansion will make hyperspectral data more widely available, improving decision-making, natural resource management, and environmental resilience.
