Indian Space Startup Pixxel Secures NASA Contract to Enhance Earth Science Research

Indian space startup Pixxel has secured a NASA contract to support Earth science research through its advanced hyperspectral technology.

The Bengaluru-based company has been included in NASA’s $476-million commercial smallsat data acquisition program, marking a milestone as the first Indian startup to achieve this since the space sector was opened to private firms in 2020.

Co-founder and CEO Awais Ahmed hailed the contract as a “monumental achievement for Pixxel,” emphasizing that it affirms the crucial role of hyperspectral imaging in the future of space-based Earth observation and the creation of a comprehensive planetary health monitor.

Under the contract, Pixxel will supply NASA and its U.S. government and academic partners with hyperspectral Earth observation data, which will enhance Earth science research and application.

Pixxel’s hyperspectral technology captures data across hundreds of narrow wavelengths, providing detailed insights into climate change, agriculture, biodiversity, and resource management.

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

The company also plans to expand its constellation to 24 satellites, making hyperspectral data more accessible to various industries and governments.

Pixxel’s constellation of high-resolution hyperspectral imaging satellites will provide detailed monitoring and predictions across agriculture, oil and gas, mining, environment, and other sectors. The company has also introduced its Earth Observation Studio, Aurora, to facilitate easier satellite imagery analysis.

Pixxel has raised over $70 million from investors including Google, Lightspeed, Radical Ventures, Seraphim Capital, and Blume Ventures.