Indian Space Startup Pixxel Secures nasa contract to Enhance Earth Science Research

Bengaluru: indian space startup Pixxel has achieved a significant milestone by securing a nasa contract to contribute to Earth science research through its advanced hyperspectral technology. This contract, part of NASA’s $476-million commercial smallsat data acquisition program, marks a historic first for an indian startup since the private sector's entry into the space industry in 2020.

Awais Ahmed, Co-founder and CEO of Pixxel, hailed the contract as a “monumental achievement” for the company. Valid until november 2028, the contract underscores the pivotal role of hyperspectral imaging in the future of space-based Earth observation, enabling the development of a comprehensive health monitor for our planet.

Under this agreement, Pixxel will supply nasa and its U.S. government and academic partners with hyperspectral Earth observation data. This data will support Earth science research and applications by providing detailed insights into climate change, agriculture, biodiversity, and resource management through the analysis of hundreds of narrow spectral bands.

Building on this success, Pixxel is preparing to launch six new hyperspectral satellites named Fireflies. These 5-meter resolution satellites will be the highest-resolution hyperspectral satellites ever deployed, capturing data across more than 250 spectral bands. They will offer extensive coverage with a 40 km swath width and a 24-hour revisit frequency anywhere on Earth.

Additionally, Pixxel plans to expand its satellite constellation to 24 units, aiming to make hyperspectral data more commercially available and accessible to various industries and governments. This expansion will enable detection, monitoring, and prediction of critical global phenomena in unprecedented detail, across sectors such as agriculture, oil and gas, mining, and environmental management.

Pixxel also recently launched its Earth Observation Studio, Aurora, to facilitate easier analysis of satellite imagery. The company has attracted over $70 million in funding from prominent investors, including Google, Lightspeed, Radical Ventures, and Seraphim Capital.
For more interesting updates wa click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel

Find out more:

#NASA

Balasahana Suresh

10/09/2024 04:39 PM