Bengaluru: Bengaluru-based startup Pixxel has announced the launch of three of the world's highest-resolution commercial hyperspectral satellites. The launch took place at 1 am on Wednesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellites, part of the Firefly constellation, were integrated via Exolaunch and launched aboard the Transporter-12 rideshare mission with SpaceX.

Pixxel hosted a live screening of the launch at its Bengaluru headquarters, marking a significant milestone for the company.

Firefly constellation: Six times sharper than existing systems

The successful launch of the first three Firefly satellites enables Pixxel to deliver more precise and critical climate and Earth insights, said Awais Ahmed, founder and CEO of Pixxel. The Firefly constellation boasts a resolution six times sharper than the 30-metre standard of most existing hyperspectral satellites. It captures fine details previously invisible to conventional systems.

"The Firefly constellation represents a watershed moment in India's space journey, being the nation’s first commercial satellite constellation," said Ahmed. With a five-metre resolution, it is now possible to capture fine details that were previously hidden from view.

Advanced capabilities: Applications range from agriculture to climate action

Pixxel’s Firefly satellites offer cutting-edge resolution and the ability to capture data across 150-plus spectral bands. This allows them to detect subtle changes in chemical compositions, vegetation health, water quality, and even atmospheric conditions with unmatched accuracy, according to Pixxel’s founder and CTO, Kshitij Khandelwal.

“Unlike traditional Earth observation satellites, which rely on broader spectral bands, the Firefly’s narrowband sensors can uncover hidden patterns and anomalies critical for a range of applications, from agriculture to climate action,” explained Khandelwal.

Challenges with Indian government procurement and future plans

Ahmed highlighted one of the challenges faced in selling the data to the Indian government. “One of the funny problems we encountered is that since we are the only company providing hyperspectral data in India, they cannot procure from us because they require at least two bidders," he said.

Although the launch was successful, Khandelwal noted that the next few days are critical for the operation of the satellites. "Around 6-7 am today, we will start communicating with the satellite, hopefully. Once that happens, we will begin commissioning the different parts of the spacecraft, a process that will take about a week," he said. The full operational process is expected to take around a month.

Plans for future launches

Pixxel has plans to launch three more Firefly satellites in March. The company’s journey began in April 2022 with the launch of Shakuntala, India's first private Earth-imaging hyperspectral satellite.

“The future of our planet depends on how deeply we understand it today. The successful deployment of our first commercial satellites is a defining moment for Pixxel and a giant leap toward redefining how we use space technology to address the planet's challenges,” said Ahmed.

With PTI inputs