SpaceX – 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.

Where is the democratization of Space Tourism going in 2025 (Space Tech)

Space tourism involves traveling to space for recreational, leisure, or business purposes, typically involving paying a fee to travel aboard spacecraft designed for this purpose. Early commercial concepts emerged in the mid-20th century, with milestones such as Dennis Tito becoming the first self-funded space tourist in 2001, Mark Shuttleworth becoming the first African in space, and SpaceShipOne winning the Ansari X Prize in 2004. Companies like Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and SpaceX are pioneering commercial space tourism, expanding access beyond government astronauts to private individuals.

Inspiring The Next Generation of Indian Explorers (Space People)

Indian Air Force test pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, born in Lucknow in 1985, was selected as a Gaganyaan astronaut and pilot of Axiom Mission 4 Ax-4, marking India’s space resurgence after a 41-year hiatus. Shukla graduated from NDA with a BSc in Computer Science and an M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering. He is married to Dr. Kamna Shubha Shukla, a dentist. She has known Shubhanshu since having been classmates since primary school, maintaining a close friendship that developed into marriage. The couple has a son together. His journey underlines India’s new phase in space ambitions.

Private Space News (9-13 June)

The major private companies offering space tourism services in 2025 include SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic. SpaceX leads in orbital space tourism with its Starship program, offering multi-day missions and lunar flybys. Blue Origin specializes in suborbital tourism with its New Shepard vehicle, providing automated flights with large windows for Earth viewing. Virgin Galactic operates suborbital flights using SpaceShipTwo and is developing “Delta-class” spaceplanes for enhanced experiences. Over 10 companies are entering the market, with suborbital tourism dominating and orbital demand expected to rise by 2030.

Public Space News (9-13 June)

Why the Pullback of Jared Isaacman’s Nomination?

On May 28, Musk criticized a major administration bill currently being considered by the U.S. Congress, followed by the announcement on May 29 that he will be leaving the Trump administration on May 30. A sharper fallout continued and spilled over onto social media, leading, Isaacman said, to the withdrawal of his nomination.

SpaceX Ax-4 launch postponed: propellant leak (Space News)

SpaceX’s Ax-4 mission, carrying four private astronauts to the International Space Station, has been postponed due to technical issues. The launch was initially delayed due to a LOx propellant leak in the Falcon 9 rocket and a new air pressure leak in the Russian segment.

Astronauts Making Pizza on the ISS (Space People)

Pizza-making on the International Space Station (ISS) has become a unique culinary experience, with astronauts gathering to prepare and share their personal pizzas. The process involves securing ingredients, assembling the pizza, and baking it in a special oven. NASA is exploring 3D food printing technology for future missions.