Pixxel, a pioneering spacetech startup based in Bengaluru, has made history by signing the 350th iDEX contract with the Ministry of Defence. This milestone contract, awarded under the Mission DefSpace Challenge, enables Pixxel to develop miniature multi-payload satellites for the Indian Air Force. The signing ceremony took place in New Delhi, with Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, Vice Chiefs of the Armed Forces, and other Ministry of Defence officials in attendance.
As the first-ever iDEX Prime (Space) Satellite Grant recipient, Pixxel will create small satellites, up to 150 kg, for electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and hyperspectral applications. This contract marks a significant step forward in Pixxel’s mission to develop space technology in India, and the company is committed to utilizing its in-house expertise and the potential of hyperspectral satellites for a sustainable future.
Pixxel’s CEO, Awais Ahmed, expressed his gratitude and commitment to the project, stating, “The iDEX Prime Space grant received by Pixxel is the first-of-its-kind grant for satellites… We look forward to putting it to use in the development of innovative multi-payload satellites that expand the frontiers of space research.” This contract will facilitate easier manufacturing, quicker and more affordable deployment, scalability, adaptability, and less environmental impact.
Pixxel has already made significant strides in the spacetech industry, with its first spacecraft manufacturing facility, MegaPixxel, opening in Bengaluru in January this year. This state-of-the-art facility can handle up to twenty spacecraft at once and can produce up to forty large satellites annually. With its commitment to sustainability, Pixxel’s facility is designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
As Pixxel prepares to launch six commercial-grade hyperspectral satellites, or “Fireflies,” this year, the company is dedicated to utilizing its expertise to provide high-performing, reasonably priced satellite manufacturing solutions. With its innovative approach and cutting-edge technology, Pixxel is poised to make a significant impact in the spacetech industry.
