Pixxel has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by securing a significant contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This agreement marks the largest deal ever awarded to an Indian company in the space sector since its opening to private enterprises in 2020. As part of NASA’s $476 million commercial smallsat data acquisition program, Pixxel will be supplying advanced hyperspectral earth-imaging data.
This historic contract is set to extend through November 2028, positioning Pixxel as a key player in NASA’s earth observation initiatives. Under this agreement, Pixxel will deliver hyperspectral data to NASA, as well as to various U.S. government and academic institutions. The data provided will support NASA’s earth science research and contribute to the administration’s diverse application activities.
Pixxel’s hyperspectral imaging technology, known for its ability to capture data across numerous narrow spectral bands, offers profound insights into various domains such as climate change, agriculture, biodiversity, and resource management. This technology enables the analysis of environmental conditions with unprecedented detail, making it a vital tool for monitoring and understanding global changes.
Awais Ahmed, co-founder and CEO of Pixxel, expressed his excitement about the contract, calling it a monumental achievement for the company. “Being selected for this NASA contract is a significant endorsement of Pixxel’s hyperspectral imaging capabilities,” Ahmed remarked. He further emphasized that this deal underscores the essential role hyperspectral imaging will play in the future of space-based earth observation. “This opportunity allows us to build a comprehensive health monitor for our planet,” he added.
The contract also includes contributions from several other companies, including BlackSky Geospatial Solutions from Virginia, ICEYE US from California, MDA Geospatial Service from Canada, Planet Labs Federal from Virginia, Satellogic Federal from North Carolina, and Teledyne Brown Engineering from Alabama. Building on this momentum, Pixxel is preparing to launch its new series of hyperspectral satellites, named Fireflies, which are poised to be the highest-resolution hyperspectral satellites ever deployed.
These satellites are designed to capture data across 250 spectral bands, providing extensive coverage with a 40 km swath width and a 24-hour revisit frequency globally. Aakash Parekh, Pixxel’s Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the significance of the contract, stating, “This agreement represents a major advancement in utilizing commercial hyperspectral data to enhance earth science research and environmental monitoring.”
He added, “We are proud to contribute to NASA’s mission and anticipate further collaboration on hyperspectral data applications.” In addition to the six upcoming satellites, Pixxel plans to expand its constellation to 24 satellites, aiming to make hyperspectral data even more accessible to stakeholders across various industries and government sectors.
This expansion will enable real-time, actionable insights that can improve decision-making, optimize natural resource management, and bolster environmental resilience. In December 2022, Pixxel made its debut in space with the launch of its first hyperspectral satellite, Anand, marking the beginning of its journey in advancing earth observation technology.
