India’s Pixxel to Launch Hyperspectral Satellites with SpaceX, Marking Industry Milestone
Pixxel, an Indian space startup, is set to launch three of its six hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard a SpaceX rocket from California on Tuesday. This marks a major step for India’s private space sector. The satellites will be positioned in a sun-synchronous orbit at approximately 550 km altitude. The remaining three satellites are expected to launch later in the year, during the second quarter.
A Milestone for India’s Private Space Industry
The launch is scheduled to take place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base at 10:45 a.m. Pacific Time (1845 GMT). For India, it will occur just after midnight the next day. This milestone highlights the potential of India’s private space industry, spearheaded by five-year-old Pixxel, which has received backing from Google.
Pixxel’s Firefly constellation uses advanced hyperspectral imaging technology. This innovation captures highly detailed data across hundreds of light bands, enabling applications in agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and defence. The company’s satellites aim to deliver enhanced insights, such as improved crop yield predictions, better tracking of resources, and superior monitoring of oil spills and borders.
Ambitious Expansion Plans
Pixxel’s founder and CEO, Awais Ahmed, revealed that the company plans to expand its constellation by adding 18 more satellites. This ambitious growth strategy aims to secure a share in the satellite imaging market, projected to reach $19 billion by 2029. Ahmed estimates hyperspectral imaging could capture $500 million to $1 billion of this market, alongside revenue from data analysis.
Pixxel has already signed contracts with 65 clients, including major names like Rio Tinto, British Petroleum, and India’s Ministry of Agriculture. While some clients are paying for data from Pixxel’s demo satellites, agreements are also in place for future data from its Firefly constellation.
Competition and Future Prospects
Despite its achievements, Pixxel faces stiff competition from established players in the US and China. The US dominates the satellite industry, driven by private giants like SpaceX, while China’s state-backed initiatives are rapidly expanding in low Earth orbit. India’s government is now relying on private companies to increase its share of the global commercial space market, which currently stands at only 2%. The sector is targeted to grow from $8 billion to $44 billion by 2030.
Pixxel’s Firefly constellation stands out with its 5-meter resolution and 40-km swathe width, surpassing competitors like Finland’s Kuva Space and San Francisco-based Orbital Sidekick. If successful, this project could position Pixxel as a leader in the hyperspectral imaging sector. Experts, such as Narayan Prasad of Satsearch, view this as a significant moment for India’s space industry.
Pixxel anticipates making first contact with the satellites two-and-a-half hours after launch. Full commercial imaging capabilities are expected to go live by mid-March, solidifying its presence in the growing global satellite market.
With inputs from Reuters
