Spacetech Startup Pixxel Secures Landmark Deal to Build Miniaturized Satellites for Indian Air Force

Verghese V Joseph –

Bengaluru: Pixxel, a spacetech startup located in the city and a pioneer in the development of advanced hyperspectral earth-imaging technology, formally inked the 350th iDEX contract with the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday at a ceremony held in New Delhi. This contract, which was given to Pixxel as the first-ever iDEX Prime (Space) Satellite Grant under the Mission DefSpace Challenge, enables the company to create miniature multi-payload satellites for the Indian Air Force.

In the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, the Vice Chiefs of the Armed Forces, and other Ministry of Defence officials, Awais Ahmed, CEO of Pixxel, and Anurag Bajpai, Additional Secretary (Defence Production) and CEO of IDEX-DIO, signed the contract.

“The iDEX Prime Space grant received by Pixxel is the first-of-its-kind grant for satellites,” stated Awais Ahmed, the company’s founder and CEO. “The contract was officially signed today, which shows how committed Pixxel is to developing space technology in the nation and how confident the government is in our ability to produce satellites. It is a privilege for us to have this support, and we look forward to putting it to use in the development of innovative multi-payload satellites that expand the frontiers of space research,” he added.

The contract, which Pixxel received as part of iDEX’s SPARK awards, will start the company’s efforts to create small satellites, up to 150 kg, for use in electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and hyperspectral applications. Space electronics will be able to innovate thanks to the 350th contract, which will facilitate easier manufacturing, quicker and more affordable deployment, scalability, adaptability, and less environmental effect.

Pixxel is dedicated to utilising its in-house knowledge and the potential of hyperspectral satellites for a sustainable future, even as it prepares to launch six commercial-grade hyperspectral satellites, or “Fireflies,” this year. Building on its experience, Pixxel now provides high-performing, reasonably priced satellite manufacturing solutions, enabling customers to use space data to achieve significant change.

Pixxel consolidated all satellite production services under one roof when it opened its first spacecraft manufacturing facility, called MegaPixxel, in Bengaluru in January of this year. Before being transported to the launch site, Pixxel’s satellites are developed, built, integrated, and tested in the new 30,000 square foot facility, ensuring a faster production process from concept to launch.

The facility can handle up to twenty spacecraft at once when operating at maximum capacity, and can handle up to forty large satellites annually. In addition to a mechanical workshop, a mission control room, and office space for more than 200 people, the facility includes state-of-the-art clean rooms, labs for advanced camera integration, electronics R&D, and electrical assembly.

Pixxel is dedicated to sustainability, and as such, their facility will have smart HVAC systems and a wastewater treatment plant to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.