Spacetech startup Pixxel announced on Tuesday (July 25) that it has been awarded a grant from iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence under the Ministry of Defence) to manufacture miniaturised multi-payload satellites for the Indian Air Force. The grant, received for the Mission DefSpace Challenge under iDEX Prime (Space), will enable Pixxel to develop small satellites weighing up to 150 kgs for electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and hyperspectral purposes, as per the company’s statement.
Pixxel CEO Delighted with iDEX’s Grant
Pixxel did not disclose the exact financial aid amount, but described it as a multi-crore grant. Pixxel’s CEO, Awais Ahmed, expressed delight at receiving the grant, stating, “This recognition highlights Pixxel’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and innovation. We are delighted to receive iDEX’s grant and utilize our expertise of building microsatellites in-house to manufacture satellites externally for the first time.”
iDEX Initiative Promotes Innovation in Defence and Aerospace
The Ministry of Defence launched iDEX as an initiative to foster innovation and technology development in the defence and aerospace sectors. The scheme engages MSMEs, startups, R&D institutes, and other entities. For the period of 2021-22 to 2025-26, iDEX has a financial outlay of INR 498.78 crore.
Pixxel- Efforts Towards Climate Issue Resolution
Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal founded Pixxel in 2019. They focus on developing hyperspectral imaging satellites. These satellites offer customers AI-enabled insights to address climate issues in real-time. The recent grant from iDEX expects to play a significant role. It will promote self-reliance and support the government’s initiatives in the space technology sector.
Spacetech Startups Flourishing in India
The Indian government has opened up the spacetech sector for private players. This move has led to remarkable progress for Indian startups in the space industry. Pixxel, a startup, received a grant from iDEX, further boosting its growth momentum. Additionally, Pixxel recently raised $36 million in its Series B funding round from Google and existing investors, bringing their total funds raised to $71 million.
Pixxel has ambitious plans for satellite launches. They aim to launch six satellites in 2024 and 18 satellites in 2025. By 2030, the Spacetech market in India is projecting to reach a size of $77 billion. This growth offers significant opportunities for innovative startups in the sector.
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