June 2025 – Interplanetary.tv

Pixxel: Mapping Earth Invisible Spectrum with Hyperspectral Satellites

Pixxel, an Indian company pioneering hyperspectral imaging from space, has successfully launched three satellites from its Firefly constellation aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. The company captures hyperspectral data, breaking it into hundreds of narrow light bands, unlocking detail invisible to the naked eye. This enables unprecedented analysis of soil quality, crop stress, water pollution, gas leaks, and even mineral composition from orbit. Pixxel’s platform, Aurora, turns raw data into ready-to-use insights using AI and machine learning. The company has raised nearly $95 million from investors including Lightspeed, Radical Ventures, Google, and Accenture. Pixxel’s mission statement, “Making the invisible visible,” echoes their long-term ambition to offer planetary-scale intelligence at unprecedented spectral fidelity. With further launches planned through 2026, Pixxel aims to scale to 24 hyperspectral satellites, providing hourly global coverage.

Manastu Space: Clean Propulsion Tech for Sustainable Orbit #2

Manastu Space, a Mumbai-based startup, is focusing on sustainability and cost-efficiency in satellite propulsion. The company replaces toxic hydrazine with a less toxic monopropellant, enhancing safety and fuel efficiency. The company is also developing in-orbit refueling technology, which could revolutionize satellite lifespan and servicing. Manastu Space has secured funding from BIRAC, ISRO, and venture funds and plans to enter full-scale commercial deployment by 2025. The startup aims to become a leading supplier of propulsion modules for small satellite constellations.

Eon Space Labs: Building Eyes in the Sky for India

Eon Space Labs, a Hyderabad-based aerospace startup, is revolutionizing the world from above by developing indigenous imaging systems for satellites, drones, and high-altitude platforms. The company focuses on satellites carrying high-performance optical payloads, which deliver sharp, high-resolution images for various applications. Eon has achieved key milestones such as developing the first prototype of a high-resolution satellite payload, securing partnerships with drone manufacturers, and delivering operational payloads for LEO satellite missions and commercial drones.

Digantara: A New Era in Space Surveillance for India

Digantara, a Bengaluru-based space-tech startup, is leading India’s first private Space Situational Awareness initiative. The company aims to monitor, track, and manage the complex and hazardous environment of space. Digantara’s solution is a seamless, space-based surveillance network that offers continuous, high-resolution data on everything that moves in orbit. The company has successfully launched its first space situational payload on ISRO’s PSLV-C55 mission in 2023 and launched Space-MAP, India’s first commercial Space Mission Assurance Platform in 2024.

Aadyah Aerospace: India Self-Reliance in Space & Defense Engineering

Aadyah Aerospace, founded by Shaju Stephen in 2016, is a leading player in India’s aerospace and defense engineering sector. The company specializes in high-reliability satellite components, unmanned aerial systems, and advanced launch-support hardware. Under Stephen’s leadership, Aadyah Aerospace is shaping India’s space ecosystem with innovation and precision engineering. The company has expanded into satellite subsystems, designing lightweight bus structures and deployers to reduce launch costs. Aadyah Aerospace has forged partnerships with public and private sector players to advance indigenous satellite technologies. Under Stephen’s leadership, the company is scaling up to tackle larger projects and accelerating innovation across India’s aerospace ecosystem.

Private Space News (16-20 June)

Landspace, a Chinese private rocket company, has successfully launched six satellites for Spacety, a commercial satellite operator known for Earth observation data. The launch of the methane-fueled Zhuque-2E rocket demonstrates China’s growing maturity in the private launch vehicle industry and its ability to serve commercial satellite customers. The “Three-Body Computing Constellation” project aims to deploy up to 2,800 satellites, positioning China as a global leader in space-based AI computing infrastructure. China’s commercial space sector is experiencing a record surge in funding and dealmaking, with rocket manufacturers like Landspace, Space Pioneer, Galactic Energy, and Deep Blue Aerospace securing hundreds of millions of dollars in recent funding rounds. Russia’s space private sector, space tech startups, and the Skolkovo Innovation Center ecosystem are focusing on companies like Dauria Aerospace, Sputnix, Spectralaser, New Energy Technologies, Azmerit, Lin Industrial, Bureau 1440, Future Lab, and Integral Robotics. The US private space startup ecosystem is robust and innovative, with key innovation areas including reusable launch vehicles, satellite servicing, space situational awareness, Earth observation, space-based manufacturing, and satellite internet.

China conducts In-orbit Refueling Test

Two Chinese spacecraft, the Shijian-21 and Shijian-25, have recently met up 22,000 miles above Earth as part of a refueling demonstration mission. The spacecraft were developed by China’s state-owned Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). The test aims to demonstrate on-orbit refueling and mission extension capabilities, helping to improve the sustainability of space operations. The US and Tokyo-based Astroscale are likely to observe the activity, and the US has already tested life-extension services for satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

Public Space News (16-20 June)

China’s Tiangong Space Station is in good health, with astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie conducting multidisciplinary space science experiments. The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission, a joint China-ESA mission, is set to launch in 2025. China’s Tianwen-2 mission is progressing, and the station continues to operate with ongoing scientific research and crewed missions.

Russia’s Roscosmos is working on a new cargo ship for the International Space Station (ISS), while NASA and Roscosmos teams are working on ISS maintenance. The 70th anniversary of Baikonur, Russia’s cosmodrome, has been celebrated with photo exhibitions and the most powerful liquid rocket engine, RD-171MV, sent for assembly. NASA’s Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission released its first images, while the X-59 supersonic demonstrator passed a safety and flight readiness review. NASA’s Axiom 4 commercial crew mission to the ISS was postponed due to weather and a Falcon 9 liquid oxygen leak repair. The US Space Technology Ecosystem and Startups are focusing on sustainable lunar technologies and advanced spacecraft. China’s Tiangong Space Station is conducting extensive space science experiments, and India is preparing for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight in 2025.

Dhruva Space: Shaping India’s Future Space Manufacturing

Dhruva Space, a Hyderabad-based startup, is India’s first full-stack private space company, offering satellite platforms, deployment systems, and mission operations for government and commercial clients. Founded by Sanjay Nekkanti, Abhay Egoor, and Narayan Prasad, the company has built out R&D, testing, and integration labs to support small satellite manufacturing. Dhruva Space’s core strength lies in modularity and scalability, with its technology stack including deployers, satellite avionics, structural frames, solar arrays, batteries, and onboard computers. As India aims to capture 9% of the global space economy by 2030, Dhruva Space is positioning itself as a globally competitive satellite systems provider from the Global South.

Bellatrix Aerospace: Powering the Future of Space Mobility

Bellatrix Aerospace, a Bengaluru-based company founded by Rohan Ganapathy, Nuthan Prasanna, and Yashas Karanam, is revolutionizing in-space propulsion and mobility. The company focuses on electric propulsion systems, which offer higher fuel efficiency and longer operational life. Bellatrix has developed various propulsion systems, including microwave plasma thrusters, Hall-effect thrusters, Green chemical propulsion systems, and CubeSat propulsion modules. One of its most ambitious visions is the space taxi, a maneuverable orbital vehicle designed to transport satellites or payloads between different orbits. The company has successfully tested and launched two propulsion systems, Arka and Rudra, on ISRO’s PSLV C-58 rocket. Bellatrix is committed to indigenously developed technology and has collaborated with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and attracted investor interest for its commercially viable and environmentally sustainable propulsion systems. The company is expected to serve satellite manufacturers, space agencies, and play a pivotal role in orbital logistics, space debris mitigation, and interplanetary missions.