India’s Pixxel to launch first hyperspectral satellite network with SpaceX

Hyperspectral imaging technology will help industries like agriculture, mining, and defence by providing highly detailed satellite data.

India, Pixxel, SpaceX, Satellites

Indian space startup Pixxel is set to launch three of its six hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard a SpaceX rocket from California. The launch, scheduled from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marks a milestone for India‘s private space sector. The satellites will enter a sun-synchronous orbit at 550 km, with three more to follow later this year. Pixxel aims to expand its constellation to 24 satellites, targeting a share of the growing satellite imaging market, expected to reach $19 billion by 2029.

Hyperspectral imaging captures highly detailed data across hundreds of light bands, allowing better monitoring of agriculture, mining, environmental changes, and defence applications. Pixxel has already secured contracts with companies like Rio Tinto and British Petroleum, as well as India’s Ministry of Agriculture. The startup expects to begin full commercial imaging operations by mid-March, with government and defence agencies closely watching its progress before committing to long-term contracts.

India holds just 2% of the global commercial space market, far behind the United States and China. The government hopes private companies like Pixxel will help grow the sector from $8 billion to $44 billion by 2030. The Firefly constellation, with a 5-meter resolution and 40-km swathe width, is expected to outperform competitors such as Finland‘s Kuva Space and the US-based Orbital Sidekick. Experts believe a successful deployment would mark a significant breakthrough for India’s space industry.