Bengaluru-based space startup Pixxel has made history by becoming the first Indian company to secure a significant contract with NASA.
Specializing in cutting-edge hyperspectral imaging technology, Pixxel will provide the U.S. space agency with crucial earth observation data as part of NASA’s $476-million commercial small satellite data acquisition program. This contract is a major milestone for Indian space technology, coming after the private sector was allowed to enter the space industry in 2020.
Pixxel’s involvement in this program will last through November 2028. The startup’s hyperspectral imaging technology, which can capture data across hundreds of narrow wavelengths, will play a key role in NASA’s earth science research, benefiting U.S. government agencies and academic institutions. The technology offers deeper insights into areas like climate change, agriculture, biodiversity, and natural resource management.
Pixxel’s CEO and co-founder, Awais Ahmed, expressed his excitement about the deal, stating, “Being selected for this NASA contract is a significant achievement for Pixxel. It confirms the potential of hyperspectral imaging as the future of space-based earth observation. Our goal is to develop a planetary health monitor that will provide valuable insights into pressing environmental issues.”
The deal includes several other notable participants, such as BlackSky Geospatial Solutions, ICEYE US, MDA Geospatial Service, Planet Labs Federal, Satellogic Federal, and Teledyne Brown Engineering. However, Pixxel’s achievement stands out as the first time an Indian startup has entered into such a major agreement with NASA.
As part of its growth strategy, Pixxel plans to launch Fireflies, a series of high-resolution hyperspectral satellites with unprecedented capabilities. These satellites, featuring a 5-meter resolution, will be able to capture data across 250 spectral bands, with a swath width of 40 kilometers and the ability to revisit any point on Earth within 24 hours. This launch is set to elevate Pixxel’s status in the global space tech landscape, offering the highest-resolution hyperspectral data ever captured from space.
Aakash Parekh, Pixxel’s Chief Commercial Officer, said, “This contract is a major leap forward in using commercial hyperspectral data to enhance earth science research and environmental monitoring. We are thrilled to collaborate with NASA on this critical initiative and look forward to contributing to their earth observation mission with our advanced technology.”
The company’s ambitious plans don’t stop at the NASA contract. With six additional satellites scheduled for launch, Pixxel aims to expand its satellite constellation to 24, enabling hyperspectral data to be more accessible to various industries and governments around the world. This will offer real-time, actionable insights, aiding in natural resource management and boosting environmental resilience.
Pixxel’s journey began in December 2022 with the successful launch of Anand, its first hyperspectral satellite. Now, the company is positioning itself as a global leader in hyperspectral imaging, with the potential to revolutionize how we monitor and protect the planet.
This collaboration with NASA signifies a major step in Pixxel’s mission to transform space-based earth observation and tackle critical environmental challenges. By providing NASA with advanced hyperspectral data, Pixxel is contributing to the global effort to monitor and mitigate the impacts of climate change, manage resources more effectively, and improve decision-making across multiple sectors.
