ISRO Chairman Inaugurates Pixxel’s 30,000 sq-ft unit in Bengaluru; Here’s more on the startup
The facility which is named 'MegaPixxel' will have the capability to manufacture 40 large satellites in a year
In a significant stride for the space data company Pixxel, the inauguration of its first spacecraft manufacturing facility in Bengaluru positions the startup to propel its mission of creating a “health monitor” for the planet. The facility, spread across 30,000 square feet, is poised to launch six satellites this year and aims for an impressive 18 more by 2025, signifying a robust expansion plan.
Pixxel’s newly unveiled facility boasts the capability to handle over 20 satellites concurrently, with a quick turnaround time of six months. At full capacity, it anticipates producing a total of 40 large satellites annually, enhancing Pixxel’s presence in the space sector. The inauguration was officiated by S. Somanath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), who commended Pixxel’s determination and resilience in making a notable impact in the challenging space sector.
Pixxel, based in Bengaluru, has collaborated with ISRO and Elon Musk’s SpaceX to launch three satellites – Shakuntala, D2, and Anand. The startup is gearing up to launch its next venture, Firefly, a constellation consisting of six high-resolution hyperspectral satellites, in June. Following this, Pixxel plans to introduce the Honeybees constellation, aimed at enhancing image resolution and the wavelength range of its satellites.
Awais Ahmed, CEO of Pixxel, highlighted the significance of the new facility, stating, “It will bolster our mission to build a health monitor for the planet.” With the increased satellite production capacity, Pixxel aims to deliver critical data to its customers promptly, enabling informed decisions across key industries such as agriculture, energy, forestry, and environmental monitoring.
Pixxel is set to roll out its geospatial analytics platform, Aurora, by June 2024. This platform will complement the company’s satellite data, providing advanced insights for sectors like environment, agriculture, and mining. The hyperspectral imagery provided by Pixxel has garnered attention, leading to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Agriculture to supply such imagery.
Notably, Pixxel’s global customer base comprises 98% international clients, including prominent names like British Petroleum, Google, and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Awais Ahmed detailed the current customer distribution, with 40% in agriculture, 30% in resource companies, and 30% in government. The company projects that by 2025, 85% of its revenue will be generated from commercial sources, with the remaining 15% from government contracts. This ratio is expected to shift in favor of government contracts, reaching 40% by 2026.
Backed by notable investors such as Google and Lightspeed, Pixxel commenced operations in 2019 and recently secured $36 million in funding in June 2023. The startup’s strategic expansion, coupled with its diverse customer base and innovative satellite projects, positions Pixxel as a key player in the burgeoning space data industry, poised for further growth and impact.
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