Pixxel, a Google-backed hyperspectral imaging and Earth Observation (EO) startup based in Bengaluru, has launched the first three commercial satellites of its Firefly constellation. This marks the first phase of the constellation, with three additional satellites scheduled for launch in Q2 2025.
The Firefly satellites, integrated via Exolaunch and launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, represent a watershed moment in India’s space journey as the nation’s first commercial satellite constellation.
Key Highlights
Historic Milestone:
- First private satellite constellation by an Indian company, pioneering advanced hyperspectral imaging for commercial applications.
Technological Innovation:
- World’s highest-resolution commercial-grade hyperspectral satellites with a 5-metre resolution – 6 times sharper than the standard 30-metre resolution of existing hyperspectral satellites.
- Capable of capturing data across over 150 spectral bands, enabling the detection of subtle changes in chemical compositions, vegetation health, water quality, and atmospheric conditions.
Operational Capabilities:
- Daily revisit capability and a 40-kilometre swathe width ensure consistent, high-detail monitoring of vast areas.
- Orbiting in a sun-synchronous orbit at approximately 550 km, the Firefly constellation is set to become the cornerstone of Pixxel’s mission to build a global health monitor for the planet.
Market Impact & Applications:
- The Firefly satellites offer unprecedented precision in Earth observation, supporting a wide range of sectors including agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and defense.
- The detailed hyperspectral data provided by constellation will enable industries to optimize crop yields, track natural resources, and monitor environmental hazards like oil spills with superior accuracy.
Applications across multiple sectors, including:
- Agriculture – Optimizing crop yields.
- Mining – Tracking resources efficiently.
- Environmental monitoring – Detecting oil spills and pollution.
- Defense – Enhanced surveillance and reconnaissance.
Future Plans:
- Pixxel plans to launch a total of 18 satellites in its Firefly constellation.
- This initiative positions India as a leader in commercial hyperspectral imaging and opens up new avenues for climate action, resource management, and sustainable development.
About Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) Satellites
Advanced Technology:
- HSI satellites capture data in hundreds of wavelengths, effectively providing a spectral fingerprint of the Earth.
- Unlike traditional imaging, HSI can distinguish between different types of vegetation and assess the health of individual trees.
Global Coverage:
- Satellite constellations like Firefly enable permanent global or near-global coverage, ensuring that at any given time, at least one satellite is visible from any point on Earth.
Satellite Constellations
- A network of satellites designed to work as an integrated system.
- Provides continuous global or near-global coverage.
- Starlink, with 2,146 active satellites, is the largest satellite constellation globally.
Types of Satellite Orbits:
- Geostationary Orbit (GEO) – 36,000 km altitude, synchronized with Earth’s rotation.
- Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) – 5,000 to 20,000 km, mainly for navigation purposes.
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) – 500 to 1,200 km, supporting research, telecom, and Earth observation.