As Pixxel advances its hyperspectral satellite constellation, Dhruva Space powers the mission with indigenous, high-efficiency space-grade power systems
Bengaluru, July 7, 2025 — In a landmark move for India’s booming private space sector, Dhruva Space, a full-stack space-tech firm, has announced a strategic collaboration with Pixxel, the global leader in hyperspectral satellite imaging. The partnership will see Dhruva Space’s indigenous Solis+ space-grade solar panels integrated into Pixxel’s upcoming satellite fleet—poised to become the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral constellation.
Designed and developed entirely in-house at Dhruva Space’s Hyderabad facility, Solis+ panels feature high-efficiency triple-junction GaAs solar cells (up to 30%), built to withstand extreme orbital environments while delivering several kilowatts of power. This latest collaboration builds on Dhruva Space’s momentum, following successful deployments for the Government of India and export contracts across the UAE, Austria, Australia, and France.
Pixxel’s next-generation satellites are engineered for daily global revisit and high spectral fidelity, building on its 2025 milestone of launching the world’s first 5-meter commercial hyperspectral satellite, Firefly.
“Power systems in space must be flawless,” said Kshitij Khandelwal, Founder & CTO, Pixxel. “Dhruva Space brings proven expertise, flight heritage, and a shared mission-first mindset. Together, we’re building resilient infrastructure to deliver critical earth observation data for global challenges.”
“This partnership epitomizes India’s rising NewSpace ecosystem,” added Abhay Egoor, Co-founder & CTO, Dhruva Space. “Very few entities globally manufacture and export space-grade solar panels—and we’re proud to be one of them. Solis+ is the result of years of indigenous R&D and is tailored for long-duration missions in Low-Earth Orbit.”
To support growing global demand, Dhruva Space is developing a state-of-the-art 280,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, including:
- 30,000 sq. ft. for solar array R&D and production
- 40,000 sq. ft. Assembly, Integration & Testing (AIT) zone, capable of simultaneously handling spacecraft up to 500 kg
The facility marks a major milestone in India’s vertical integration for space hardware manufacturing, designed to meet the scalability and precision demands of global space missions.
This alliance signals a broader shift toward collaborative innovation among Indian space startups, reaffirming India’s emergence as a serious player in the global satellite infrastructure race.
