Pixxel, a Bengaluru-based hyperspectral imaging and Earth Observation startup announced its selection as part of NASA’s $476 million Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program On-Ramp1 Multiple Award contract. This contract period of performance runs through November 2028.
Under this contract, Pixxel will provide NASA and its U.S. government and academic partners with hyperspectral Earth observation data, further empowering the administration’s Earth science research and application activities. With the ability to capture data across hundreds of narrow wavelengths, Pixxel’s datasets can unravel granular insights on climate change, agriculture, biodiversity, resource management, and more.
“Being selected for this NASA contract is a monumental achievement for Pixxel and further validates that hyperspectral imaging will be integral to the future of space-based Earth observation and enable us to truly build a health monitor for the planet,” said Awais Ahmed, Co-founder and CEO of Pixxel.
“We are deeply honored to support NASA’s Earth Observation initiatives and demonstrate the transformative potential of Pixxel’s hyperspectral technology in addressing critical environmental challenges,” he added.
Building on this momentum, Pixxel is making significant strides toward its mission with the upcoming launch of Fireflies, its 5-meter resolution hyperspectral satellites, which will be the highest-resolution hyperspectral satellites ever launched. These satellites will capture data across 250+ spectral bands, offering more comprehensive coverage with a 40 km swath width and a 24-hour revisit frequency anywhere on the planet.
Pixxel’s Chief Commercial Officer, Aakash Parekh, said, “This contract represents a major step forward in leveraging commercial hyperspectral data to bolster Earth science research and environmental monitoring. We are proud to foster further collaboration on hyperspectral data applications within the scientific community, and we look forward to working with NASA to further its mission with this cutting-edge earth monitoring modality.”
Along with the six upcoming satellites launching shortly, Pixxel plans to expand its constellation to 24 satellites to make hyperspectral data commercially even more broadly available and accessible to stakeholders across industries and governments. This will empower them with real-time, actionable insights to inform decision-making, improve natural resource management, and enhance environmental resilience.
