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Satellite constellation ‘Firefly’ is the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation.
PM Modi said the satellite constellation would help in delivering critical climatic inputs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the first edition of Mann Ki Baat radio program of the year and lauded Bengaluru-based private space-tech startup Pixxel for its significant contribution in strengthening the space sector of the country.
Recently, space-tech startup Pixxel achieved a historic feat by giving India the first private earth imaging satellite constellation. The constellation, developed by Pixxel, has been named as ‘Firefly’.
In the 118th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Modi said, “Today I feel proud to tell you that Bengaluru’s Pixxel, India’s space-tech startup, has successfully launched India’s first private satellite constellation ‘Firefly.’ This satellite constellation is the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation.”
Earlier this week, three ‘Firefly’ satellites were launched into 550-kilometre low Earth orbit, using a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the NDTV report stated. Ahead of launch, the satellites were integrated via Exolaunch. These satellites are aimed at delivering critical climate and Earth insights with unmatched precision.
Additionally, the ‘Firefly’ constellation is country’s first commercial satellite constellation. The Fireflies, the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral satellites, bring unprecedented precision to monitoring the planet, setting a new benchmark for hyperspectral imaging capabilities.
Constellation Designed To Detect, Monitor And Predict Global Phenomena
What sets Fireflies apart from other satellites is its sharpness as they are 6x sharper than the 30-metre standard of most existing hyperspectral satellites, capturing fine details previously invisible to conventional systems. The constellation has been designed with the aim of detecting, monitoring and predicting global phenomena.
Further, three more satellites are planned to be launched later this year.
Before the launch of ‘Firefly’, all precision earth imaging satellites from India were owned and operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) which has about 52 different satellites in space.
According to a report in NDTV, Pixxel – which has offices in India and the United States – took shape in 2019 under the leadership of Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal while they were studying at Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani.
The founders have already raised $95 million, becoming one of India’s satellite success stories.
PM Praises ISRO Over Space Docking
Along with Pixxel, PM Modi also praised Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) which recently achieved a milestone by successfully performing the docking of satellites as part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX).
The ISRO on Thursday morning successfully demonstrated space docking, a process of joining of two fast-moving satellites in space. The govt space agency also demonstrated giving commands to the two satellites as one composite object.
The successful achievement makes India the fourth country in the world — after the United States, Russia, and China — to have this capability.