BANGALORE, INDIA – SEPTEMBER //, 2019 – Pixxel has signed a launch contract with GK Launch Services for its first tech demo mission to be launched in Q2-Q3 2020 from Baikonur on GK-operated Soyuz-2 mission. The contract was arranged with the support of Precious Payload’s launch booking platform. PIXXEL is an Indian space startup based in Bengaluru, India. Pixxel is building a constellation of earth imaging satellites to provide global coverage every 24 hours. The startup is the only Asian participant in the Techstars Starbust Space Accelerator where it is working with JPL NASA, US Air Force, Lockheed Martin, SAIC and IAI among other space stalwarts.
“We have chosen GK Launch Services because it bundles all the services in one package, offering transparent and standard insurance products along with launch services to the customers. Moreover, the company helps to solve less evident but equally important issues that traditionally brokers do, such as separation systems, logistics support, and right up to visa support. At the same time, having trusted our launch management to Precious Payload team, we have opted for focusing on our product and clients,” said Awais Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of Pixxel.
Quote‘Anand’ in all its glory, readying up for its literal launch. PixxelSpace ready to take off in 2021.
‘Anand’ in all its glory, readying up for its literal launch. PixxelSpace ready to take off in 2021.
Quote from: TheVarun on 02/23/2021 12:55 pm ^They appear to have dropped two satellites from the mission. Now, it's 19 satellites in total, not 21 as stated earlier.Yes pixxel's "anand" will not be launching on this flight because of some software issues they are having
^They appear to have dropped two satellites from the mission. Now, it's 19 satellites in total, not 21 as stated earlier.
Quote from: Alter Sachse on 03/05/2021 01:01 pmpayloads from 18 countries...The small spacecraft cluster consists of satellites of different formats - from PocketCube to small spacecraft of 200 kg mass launched in the interests of foreign customers from Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Italy, Republic of Korea, Israel, Thailand, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Hungary, Great Britain, Spain, Slovakia and Tunisia.So this is a complete country list, 18 including Russia. Some conclusions:- India is missing. Pixxel withdrew a satellite from the recent PSLV launch due to technical issues; probably they are also not present here.
payloads from 18 countries...The small spacecraft cluster consists of satellites of different formats - from PocketCube to small spacecraft of 200 kg mass launched in the interests of foreign customers from Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Italy, Republic of Korea, Israel, Thailand, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Hungary, Great Britain, Spain, Slovakia and Tunisia.
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1792514QuoteDepartment of SpaceDr S. Somanath, new Chairman, ISRO calls on Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and discusses status of “Gaganyaan” and other future Space missionsPosted On: 25 JAN 2022 4:27PM by PIB DelhiDr S. Somanath, who has taken over as the new Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed the status of “Gaganyaan” as well as other Space missions lined up for the near future.<snip>ISRO Chairman presented at brief about the forthcoming missions during the next three months. He mentioned a [RISAT-1A] PSLV [C52] scheduled for February 2022, OCEANSAT-3, INS 2B ANAND PSLV [C53] to be launched in March 2022 and SSLV-D1 Micro SAT in April 2022.
Department of SpaceDr S. Somanath, new Chairman, ISRO calls on Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and discusses status of “Gaganyaan” and other future Space missionsPosted On: 25 JAN 2022 4:27PM by PIB DelhiDr S. Somanath, who has taken over as the new Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed the status of “Gaganyaan” as well as other Space missions lined up for the near future.<snip>ISRO Chairman presented at brief about the forthcoming missions during the next three months. He mentioned a [RISAT-1A] PSLV [C52] scheduled for February 2022, OCEANSAT-3, INS 2B ANAND PSLV [C53] to be launched in March 2022 and SSLV-D1 Micro SAT in April 2022.
Pixxel launches its first satellite aboard SpaceX, to launch seven more by March 2023New Delhi: Indian space-tech startup Pixxel has launched its first satellite, part of its eventual 36-satellite planned constellation, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission. The satellite was incidentally the second that Pixxel built, and is a part of the first three technology demonstration satellites in its constellation. Called ‘Shakuntala’, the satellite will help Pixxel begin its hyperspectral satellite imagery and satellite-based data analytics services to pilot customers.
Awais Ahmed, chief executive of Pixxel, told Mint that the startup will now look to complete its second launch of its first technology demonstrator satellite, called Anand, aboard an upcoming mission with the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). The latter is expected to launch India’s Earth Observation Satellite (Eos)-6, part of the Indian Oceansat programme, in the coming months.
Indian Space start-up 'Pixxel' to have constellation of 20 satellites by 2024Having successfully accomplished the launch and deployment of their first-ever satellite, Indian space start-up Pixxel is working on an ambitious goal of having 20 satellites in orbit by end of 2024.
Pixxel's satellites perform what is known as Hyperspectral imaging, a process of mapping the earth in highest detail and using that data for various applications such as monitoring agriculture, mining, oil exploration etc. Simply put, Hyperspectral imaging sees much more than conventional satellites and the human eye, thus making the data useful for a wide range of applications. "Existing satellites that perform multispectral imaging operate in up to 10 bands, whereas Hyperspectral technology helps imaging in 160 bands.
"Our upcoming satellites will weigh 40kg each and will have an operational life of 7years, whereas the current satellite weighs only 15kg and can function up to 3 years. The future versions will also have 5meter resolution(ability to distinguish between objects that are 5meters apart), whereas the current satellite has a 10meter resolution. We offer such high resolution specifically to meet our client's requirements", Awais added.
While ISRO is understood to charge around $25,000 per kg of payload on its PSLV rocket, SpaceX is understood to charge barely $5000 per kg of payload on its Falcon 9 rocket. With India expected to launch a low-cost, easy-to-build, 500 kg payload class Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), it is expected that the per kg launch cost would reduce to a certain extent, thus making it an attractive option for customers. While SpaceX offers low cost per kg, it is notable they do not often have rideshare missions to accommodate smaller satellites, even on a commercial basis. In comparison, ISRO managed to accommodate co-passenger satellites in almost all of its PSLV launches.
