Bengaluru based space tech startup, Pixxel announced the launch of its first commercial satellite ‘Shakuntala.’ The satellite was launched in collaboration with SpaceX.
Shakuntala is loaded with one of the highest resolution hyperspectral commercial cameras. The company plans to build a 24×7 global health monitor. The satellite was launched with SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket.
“This launch, which took place aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-4 mission from Cape Canaveral in the US, takes Pixxel closer to its goal of assembling one of the world’s most advanced constellations of low-earth-orbit imaging satellites,” the company said in a statement.
Pixxel has become the first Indian space tech startup to launch commercial satellites into space. The satellite Shakuntala can capture objects in more than 150 bands of colour. This satellite is considered to be more advanced in terms of capturing pixels than satellites of NASA & ISRO.
“From being one of the very few finalists in the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition in 2017 to now launching our own satellites as part of SpaceX’s fourth dedicated rideshare mission, life has come full-circle for us,” said CEO Awais Ahmed.