Pixxel’s technology demonstration satellites are designed to test and validate the potential of hyperspectral imaging from space. These satellites serve as early prototypes that helped Pixxel prove what’s possible, paving the way for our high-quality commercial constellations.
We launched D2 and Shakuntala as our first demo satellites, each carrying sensors tuned for different spectral ranges.
Looking ahead, another technology demonstrator satellite Honeybee-0 is scheduled for launch in Q1 2026. Honeybee-0 will showcase Pixxel’s next step toward broader spectral coverage and more advanced imaging capabilities.Tech Demo 1 : D2
Technology Demonstration Satellite-1, also known as D2, was launched in June 2021 and decommissioned in August 2024. It was equipped with an imager capable of capturing 159 bands between 471.5 and 896 nm.
Mission Characteristics
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) | ~32 meters |
| Swath Width | 30 km |
| Wavelength Range | 471.5 – 896 nm |
| Total Available Bands | ~159 bands |
| Selectable Bands per Capture | ~67 bands |
| Orbit Type | Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), 98° inclination |
| Orbital Altitude | 350 - 550 km |
| Equator Crossing Time | Between 1.30 PM and 02:30 PM local solar time |
| Off-Nadir Angle / Slew | ±20° |
| Revisit Time | 7 days |
| Cloud Cover Threshold | < 20% |
| Imagery Bit Depth | 10-bit dynamic range, stored in a 16-bit container |
Tech Demo 2 : Shakuntala
Technology Demonstration Satellite-2, also known as Shakuntala, was launched in April 2022 and decommissioned in January 2024. The imager was capable of capturing 151 bands between 470 and 894 nm.
Mission Characteristics
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) | ~9.8 meters |
| Swath Width | 19.6 km |
| Wavelength Range | 470 - 894 nm |
| Total Available Bands | ~151 bands |
| Selectable Bands per Capture | ~67 bands |
| Orbit Type | Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), 97.4° inclination |
| Orbital Altitude | 350 - 550 km |
| Equator Crossing Time | Between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM local solar time |
| Off-Nadir Angle / Slew | ±20° |
| Revisit Time | 7 days |
| Cloud Cover Threshold | < 20% |
| Imagery Bit Depth | 10-bit dynamic range, stored in a 16-bit container |
Tech Demo 4 : Honeybee-0
The Honeybee-0 technology demonstrator satellite is planned to be launched in Q1 2026 . The sensors on this satellite will be equipped to provide hyperspectral imagery of ~450 bands in the 400–2550 nm range at a 8-meter GSD.
Mission Characteristics
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) | ~8 meters |
| Swath Width | 5 km VSWIR |
| Wavelength Range | 400 - 2500 nm |
| Total Available Bands | ~450 VSWIR |
| Orbit Type | Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), 97.45° inclination |
| Orbital Altitude | 500 - 550 km(TBD) |
| Equator Crossing Time | Between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM local solar time(TBD) |
| Off-Nadir Angle / Slew | ±30° (±20° recommended for optimal quality) |
| Revisit Time | 14-21 days |
| Cloud Cover Threshold | < 20% |
| Imagery Bit Depth | 10-bit dynamic range, stored in a 16-bit container |