As Pixxel scales up its constellation – delivering the world’s highest-resolution commercial hyperspectral imagery – Dhruva Space will supply mission-critical power systems designed and manufactured in India. This marks a pivotal moment for the country’s NewSpace industry, showcasing its maturing capabilities and export-readiness on the global stage.

The collaboration brings together two of India’s most dynamic space-tech pioneers. Pixxel, known for its 5-metre hyperspectral imaging capability launched earlier this year with its Firefly satellites, is on a mission to provide high-spectral fidelity data for tackling pressing global challenges. Meanwhile, Dhruva Space has steadily built a reputation for precision-engineered, flight-proven spacecraft systems, including the Solis+ panels, developed with up to 30% efficiency GaAs triple-junction solar cells.

“These are mission-critical systems and there’s no margin for error in space,” said Kshitij Khandelwal, Founder and CTO of Pixxel. “We partner with those who share our focus on mission readiness and technical rigour. Dhruva Space exemplifies that commitment, and this collaboration strengthens not just our fleet, but India’s entire space hardware ecosystem.”

Abhay Egoor, CTO and Co-founder of Dhruva Space, echoed the sentiment: “There are very few companies globally that can design, manufacture, qualify, and export space-grade solar panels. We are proud to count ourselves among them. This partnership reflects the best of Indian innovation coming together, with a shared ambition to deliver scalable, export-ready solutions with spaceflight heritage.”

The Solis+ panels, manufactured in Hyderabad, are already seeing international uptake, with recent exports to the UAE, Austria, Australia, and France. Domestically, the technology has been delivered to the Government of India and will now power Pixxel’s rapidly growing satellite operations.

Dhruva Space is also in the process of commissioning South Asia’s first vertically integrated spacecraft manufacturing facility. Spanning 6.5 acres with 280,000 sq. ft. of built-up area, the facility includes a 30,000 sq. ft. solar array development centre and a 40,000 sq. ft. Assembly, Integration & Testing (AIT) zone capable of simultaneously integrating multiple spacecraft of up to 500 kg class.

This partnership stands as a testament to India’s emergence as a key player in the global space-tech arena – a nation where end-to-end space infrastructure is now being designed, developed, and deployed entirely by private enterprise.