Pixxel to Develop Advanced Hyperspectral and MWIR Payloads for Indian Air Force with iDEX SPARK Grant

Bengaluru-based space technology startup Pixxel has taken another major step in India’s growing defence space sector. The company, known for building the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation, has signed a fresh agreement under the iDEX SPARK Grant scheme of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. This initiative supports innovative defence startups in developing cutting-edge technologies for the armed forces.

Under this new grant, awarded as part of iDEX DISC 8 Challenge 6.2, Pixxel will develop advanced Hyperspectral and Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) payloads tailored for the Indian Air Force (IAF). These high-performance imaging payloads will enhance India’s space-based and airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

What are Hyperspectral and MWIR Payloads?

Hyperspectral payloads capture images in hundreds of narrow spectral bands across visible, near-infrared, and shortwave infrared wavelengths. This technology allows analysts to detect subtle differences in materials, vegetation, gases, and other objects, making it highly valuable for applications such as border surveillance, asset monitoring, disaster management, and military intelligence.

On the other hand, MWIR (Mid-Wave Infrared) payloads operate in the mid-infrared region (typically 3 to 5 micrometres), capable of detecting heat signatures from vehicles, aircraft, and ground installations, even in complete darkness or through smoke and cloud cover. This makes MWIR sensors essential for night-time reconnaissance, targeting, and situational awareness in challenging environments.

Expected Specifications

Though official specifications of the new payloads are yet to be revealed, based on Pixxel’s current technology stack and industry trends, the expected features may include:

• Hyperspectral Payload:

  • Spatial resolution: Sub-5 meter from low Earth orbit

  • Spectral bands: Over 150 narrow bands ranging from 400 to 2500 nanometres

  • High signal-to-noise ratio imaging

  • Real-time on-board data compression and analysis capabilities

• MWIR Payload:

  • Detection range: Tens of kilometres for vehicle and aircraft-sized objects

  • Thermal resolution: Sub-50 millikelvin (mK) sensitivity

  • Capability to operate in day/night and all-weather conditions

  • Compact, lightweight design optimised for integration on miniaturised satellites or airborne platforms

A Boost to India’s Defence-Tech Ecosystem

This new iDEX SPARK Grant is not Pixxel’s first collaboration with the Indian defence establishment. In 2023, Pixxel was selected under the Mission DefSpace Challenge of iDEX Prime (Space) to develop miniaturised, multi-payload satellites for defence applications.

Speaking on this latest achievement, Awais Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Pixxel, expressed pride in the company’s growing partnership with the Government of India, stating that this milestone further strengthens India’s position in next-generation aerospace innovation.

The grant is part of the Ministry of Defence’s broader vision to empower homegrown startups and MSMEs to develop critical, indigenous defence solutions. By fostering innovation through schemes like iDEX, India aims to build a self-reliant defence ecosystem capable of addressing strategic and operational challenges independently.

Pixxel’s Expanding Capabilities

Pixxel already has three operational Firefly hyperspectral satellites in orbit and plans to launch several more in the coming months. Additionally, its proprietary Pixxel Aurora Earth Observation Studio offers intuitive tools for visualising, analysing, and generating insights from hyperspectral data.

With this new project, Pixxel is not just advancing defence imaging technology but also contributing to India’s ambition of establishing a robust, real-time environmental and security monitoring network in space.

In essence, this partnership signals a growing trust in India’s private space sector and its potential to play a pivotal role in national security and strategic capabilities in the years ahead.