Space
Kulasekarapattinam
▪ The Kulasekarapattinam launch pad can launch rockets weighing up to 500 kg.
▪ A rocket will be launched from Kulasekarapattinam by the end of 2026. Kulasekarapattinam plays a very important role in India’s space history
▪ There are 2 launch pads in Sriharikota. Currently, work is underway to set up a third pad there at a cost of Rs 4,000 crore.
▪ The plan to send a robot to space is underway.
Hyperspectral imaging satellites
▪ The successful launch of Pixxel’s three hyperspectral imaging satellites by SpaceX represents a
significant milestone for the Indian space startup ecosystem.
Recent Launch
▪ Pixxel successfully launched three more Firefly satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission, completing the first phase of its hyperspectral constellation Business StandardNews9live.
▪ This was accompanied by Dhruva Space’s satellites, making it the first commercial flight of Dhruva’s Polaris-30 (P-30) satellite bus Indian startups Dhruva, Pixxel satellites ride to space on Falcon 9 | Science News – News9live.
Technical Capabilities
▪ The information you shared about the technical specifications is accurate. Each Firefly satellite weighs around 50 kilograms and captures data in 135+ spectral bands at 5-meter resolution PixxelBusiness Standard, making them part of “the most advanced commercial hyperspectral imaging system ever deployed” Pixxel, Dhruva Space launch satellites on SpaceX Falcon-9 from California | World News
– Business Standard.
Future Constellation Plans
▪ Pixxel plans to build a constellation of 18 to 24 satellites to achieve daily coverage of Earth with hyperspectral imagery Pixxel and Dhruva Space Launch Satellites on SpaceX Falcon 9 Entrepreneur, with applications across agriculture, mining, oil and gas, and environmental moni
