Pixxel Opens First-of-Its-Kind Spacecraft Manufacturing Facility in Bengaluru, India

January 15, 2024
/
By
Pixxel Opens First-of-Its-Kind Spacecraft Manufacturing Facility in Bengaluru, India

Pixxel, a leader in innovative hyperspectral earth-imaging technology inaugurated its first Spacecraft Manufacturing Facility “MegaPixxel” in Bengaluru today.

The new facility, spanning more than 30,000 sq ft, consolidates all satellite manufacturing services, providing a comprehensive Spacecraft Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) facility under one roof. The facility will ensure a streamlined production process from concept to launch — providing a space for Pixxel’s satellites to be designed from scratch, manufactured, integrated, and tested for launch conditions before being shipped to the launch site.

With this facility, Pixxel aims to establish a robust infrastructure for large-scale satellite manufacturing, adapt to the dynamic needs of customers, and set a new benchmark for efficiency and innovation.

Commenting on the launch, Awais Ahmed, CEO, Pixxel said, “The inauguration of the new facility marks a momentous milestone as Pixxel nears its fifth anniversary since inception. It will bolster our mission to build a health monitor for the planet. By increasing our capacity to build more satellites, we will deliver even more critical data to our customers faster so they can make informed decisions and address the needs of key industries such as agriculture, energy, forestry, and environmental monitoring.”

At full capacity, the facility is equipped to handle more than twenty satellites simultaneously that can be turned around within a timeframe of six months, making a total capacity of forty large satellites per year possible. 

The space is uniquely designed, with two modern clean rooms of ISO Class 7 and ISO Class 8 that safeguard against contaminants that could impair satellite functionality during the satellite assembly and integration process. Additionally, it also houses labs for advanced camera integration, electronics R&D, and electrical assembly; along with a mechanical workshop, a mission control room, and an office space that can accommodate more than 200 employees. 

With a steadfast commitment to sustainability, Pixxel’s facility will feature a wastewater treatment plant to help conserve water and reduce water dependency as well as smart heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to further enhance energy efficiency and minimize carbon footprint.