Description
Indian Startup to Launch Third Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite via ISRO’s PSLV – On November 26, the Bengaluru-based startup Pixxel will launch Anand, its third hyper-spectral satellite, into orbit. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will use for the launch. The business is undertaking its first launch from Indian soil this time.
Introduction
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About Pixel (the startup company based on Bengaluru)
A constellation of more than 30 hyperspectral earth observation micro-satellites will be launch by the private space technology company Pixxel, based in India. El Segundo, California, and Bengaluru, Karnataka, are the company’s headquarters. Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal started it in 2019 while studying in BITS Pilani. Additionally, Pixxel was the only firm from Asia selected for the Los Angeles leg of the 2019 Techstars Starburst Space Accelerator.
Key factors of an Indian startup launching a third Hyperspectral Imaging satellite via ISRO PSLV
| Name of the topic | An Indian startup launching a third Hyperspectral Imaging satellite via ISRO PSLV |
| Name of the company | Bengaluru based startup company “Pixel” |
| Type of satellite | Hyperspectral Imaging satellite |
| Founder | Awais Ahmed Kshitij Khandelwal |
| Industry | Aerospace |
About hyperspectral imaging
Narrow bands can be seen in this example hyperspectral image. This is merely a visual representation to help with concept understanding since we were unable to draw the bands to scale. The bands are thin in comparison to the multispectral image, as you can see.
A hyperspectral often has hundreds of bands. A hyperspectral image will have hundreds of TIF files for each scene once you download it. According to the specs of the sensor, each TIF file represents that exact narrow band of light.
About an Indian startup launching a third Hyperspectral Imaging satellite via ISRO PSLV
On November 26, the Bengaluru-based startup Pixxel will launch Anand, its third hyper-spectral satellite, into orbit. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be used for the launch. The business is undertaking its first launch from Indian soil this time.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) of ISRO will assist Pixxel, a space technology startup, in launching its third hyperspectral satellite, Anand, from the Sriharikota spaceport on Saturday.
Anand is a hyperspectral microsatellite that contains more than 150 wavelengths and weighs less than 15 kg. It can take more detailed photographs of the Earth than current non-hyperspectral satellites, which only have 10 wavelengths.
According to a Pixxel statement made public on Monday, the satellite images may be used to, among other things, identify soil stress and oil slicks, track forest fires, and find pest infestations.
After more than 18 months of delays, numerous retests, and more than two years of sweat and arduous work by the team, we are finally launching this week. Pixxel’s founder and CEO, Awais Ahmed, stated on Twitter.
Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal’s Pixel firm became the first in India to launch Shakuntala, a commercial satellite, aboard Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket in April.
The company claims that Pixxel’s hyperspectral satellites are exceptional in that they can deliver hundreds of bands of data with worldwide coverage at a very high frequency, making them perfect for applications such as disaster assistance, agricultural monitoring, energy monitoring, and urban planning.
The satellites can transmit up to 50 times more information with remarkable detail than other conventional satellites in orbit.
Pixxel has already inked contracts with Rio Tinto and Data Farming to use hyperspectral datasets to locate mineral resources, monitor their activity, and identify crop problems.
The team will use the generated imagery to make targeted adjustments to the form factor and imaging capabilities of the upcoming series of commercial-grade satellites.
With this launch, Pixxel takes another step towards achieving its goal of building a constellation of cutting-edge hyperspectral tiny satellites in orbit to serve as a worldwide health monitor.
Among the backers of Pixxel are Lightspeed, Radical Ventures, Jordan Noone of Relativity, Seraphim Capital, Ryan Johnson, and Accenture.
Is the future of remote sensing in hyperspectral imaging?
Space-based hyperspectral imaging is a little bit of a luxury. The complexity level and amount of data are the key causes. For instance, a Hyperion image consists of 242 separate TIFF files. They all display a very small spectrum of light.
The total data size (zipped) for the 242 photos is 188 MB. But at just 680 km2 (262 mi2), the swath is incredibly small. When compared to a regular Sentinel-2 scene, which is 12,000 km2 (4,660 mi2), this is much smaller.
But storage technology has progressed quickly over time. Is hyperspectral imaging going to be popular in the future? Yes, it is the answer.
Uses for Hyperspectral Imaging
The primary justification for the development of hyperspectral imaging is its ability to provide a higher level of spectral detail. You can search through finer details if you have a large number of thin bands. You can then divulge fresh knowledge that you were unaware was possible.
Eight classes can be used to classify the principal applications for hyperspectral photography. Land usage, flora, agriculture, geology, soil, water resources, and natural disasters are all included in this.
The fundamental concept behind it is that it enhances any kind of classification. You can learn more information, for instance, about the geology surface composition. The same is true of soil types, land cover, and vegetation kinds.
For crop management, hyperspectral imaging aids in pest identification. It’s important to comprehend bathymetry, water quality, and chemistry when it comes to water resources. Additionally, it has been applied to disaster management, including post-monitoring and prevention.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Question)
What was launched by ISRO using the PSLV?
Due to PSLV’s outstanding dependability, numerous spacecraft, including satellites from the IRNSS constellation, have been launched into geosynchronous and geostationary orbits.
Which Indian startup Pixxel receives a US contract for hyperspectral imaging?
The National Research Organisation (NRO) of the United States has awarded a five-year contract to Bengaluru-based space startup Pixxel for the provision of technical hyperspectral imagery.
Who was Pixxel Aerospace’s founder?
Pixxel’s founder and CEO is Awais Ahmed.
Who is the founder of Pixxel startup?
