Bengaluru-based space-tech startup Pixxelsuccessfully launched three of the world’s highest-resolution commercial hyperspectral satellites from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base early Wednesday morning.
Named the Firefly constellation, the satellites were integrated with Exolaunch and carried aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 rideshare mission. The launch occurred around 1 a.m., with Pixxel hosting a live screening at its Bengaluru headquarters.
Speaking to reporters, Pixxel founder and CEO Awais Ahmed highlighted that the satellites would deliver precise climate and Earth data. He noted that the Firefly constellation offers six times sharper imaging than the 30-meter industry standard, achieving an unprecedented five-meter resolution.
“These satellites mark a turning point in India’s space journey as the nation’s first commercial satellite constellation,” Ahmed remarked, adding that Pixxel has over 60 clients, including NASA and governments of the U.S. and Australia.
Firefly’s advanced sensors capture data across 150+ spectral bands, enabling precise detection of changes in chemical composition, vegetation health, water quality, and atmospheric conditions. Traditional satellites lack this narrowband capability, explained Pixxel CTO Kshitij Khandelwal.
While the launch was successful, Ahmed humorously noted a challenge in selling hyperspectral data to the Indian government due to procurement rules requiring at least two bidders.
Pixxel plans to launch three more Firefly satellites in March. “This deployment is a milestone for Pixxel and a leap toward solving global challenges using space technology,” Ahmed concluded.
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