Pixxel, a spacetech startup supported by Google, has inaugurated Megapixxel, its cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. Spanning 30,000 sq ft with a clean room and testing area, the facility will support the integration and testing of Pixxel's hyperspectral imaging satellites, starting with the Fireflies constellation in 2024. The facility, capable of producing up to 25 satellites simultaneously, positions Pixxel for substantial manufacturing needs over the next two years. The company plans to launch the Fireflies constellation in June and October 2024, with a target of manufacturing 75 satellites annually at full capacity. Pixxel's collaborations span industries like mining, oil and gas, agriculture, and technology, cementing its role in the spacetech sector.
Pixxel, a spacetech startup supported by Google, has inaugurated its cutting-edge manufacturing facility, Megapixxel, in Bengaluru. Spanning 30,000 sq ft and featuring a clean room and testing area, the facility was unveiled by Sreeradha Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Pixxel, headquartered in Bengaluru, is gearing up to launch its constellation of hyperspectral imaging satellites, starting with the Fireflies constellation in June and October 2024. Megapixxel, designed for internal manufacturing, allows Pixxel to integrate and test its satellites, including the upcoming Fireflies constellation (scheduled for launch in two installments) and the Honeybees constellation in 2025.
The facility boasts the capability to simultaneously produce up to 25 satellites, each weighing 100 kilograms. Pixxel is set to introduce its analytics platform, Aurora, in June 2024, a tool already in use within closed user groups.
Awais Ahmed, Chief Executive of Pixxel, revealed in an interview with ET that the facility's strategic design ensures Pixxel's manufacturing needs for at least the next two years, supporting satellite integration and testing. The Fireflies constellation, comprising three satellites, is scheduled for launch in June, followed by another three in October. At full capacity, the facility aims to manufacture 75 satellites of 100 kg each annually, with a four-month production timeline for each satellite.
Pixxel's collaboration extends to major industry players, including mining giant Rio Tinto, oil and gas major British Petroleum, Google, and the Indian Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare. The company caters to diverse sectors, providing hyperspectral imaging data for applications in agriculture, oil and gas, and more.
In conclusion, Pixxel's strategic manufacturing facility, Megapixxel, marks a significant milestone in its journey to establish itself as a key player in the spacetech sector. With ongoing collaborations, ambitious satellite launches, and the imminent introduction of the Aurora analytics platform, Pixxel positions itself at the forefront of innovation in the rapidly evolving field of hyperspectral imaging and satellite technology.
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