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Startup Pixxel has successfully launched three hyperspectral Firefly satellites into orbit, laying the foundation for India's first private satellite constellation focused on environmental and agricultural monitoring.
Launched aboard a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the satellites have already begun collecting high-resolution data. Firefly captures more than 150 spectral bands with a resolution of 5 meters, covering a swath 40 kilometers wide. This technology allows you to detect changes in soil chemistry, plant health, water quality and atmospheric conditions. According to Pixxel CEO Awais Ahmed, Firefly is currently the most accurate satellite constellation in the world.
Pixxel plans to expand the constellation to 18–24 satellites by 2026–2027, providing daily monitoring of the Earth. The satellites currently update data every 2–3 days, and the company plans to launch three more devices by mid-2025. With the support of investors including Google and Accenture Ventures, Pixxel has raised $95 million to develop its technology.
Pixxel satellites have a unique propulsion system that allows them to operate in orbit for up to seven years, significantly exceeding the service life of demonstration models (1,5–2 years). Their ability to process 150 spectral bands is far superior to competitors such as Orbital Sidekick and Wyvern, which are typically limited to 8 bands.
The startup already works with NASA, British Petroleum, and the Indian Ministry of Agriculture, which receive data for environmental monitoring and agricultural process optimization. In the future, Pixxel is considering integrating its data with Google products, such as Google Earth, which will expand its availability to global users.
India is investing heavily in its space industry, launching a $116 million venture capital fund and revamping its foreign investment policy. These initiatives are aimed at supporting startups that are already playing a key role in achieving the country’s ambitious goals, including launching a manned mission by 2025 and building a space station by 2035.
The launch of Firefly marks an important milestone in the development of Earth monitoring systems aimed at solving global environmental challenges. “We aim to provide the world with tools that will help us better understand our planet and uncover hidden patterns,” Ahmed stressed.
