Ouestion: Recently Space start-up Pixxel has signed an agreement with state-run New Space India Limited (NSIL) for-
a) Making Supersonic Missile
b) UAV
c) Launching remote-sensing satellite
d) Sending rover to the moon
Answer: (c)
Related Facts:-
- Space start-up Pixxel has signed an agreement with state-run New Space India Limited (NSIL).
- This agreement has been signed to launch the country’s first private remote-sensing satellite on an ISRO PSLV rocket in early 2021.
- The agreement is one of its kind after the establishment of IN-SPACe.
- It should be known that IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center) is an independent nodal agency under Department of Space.
- IN-SPACe has been created for enabling private players to undertake space activities in India.
- The Department of Space is happy to have one of India’s leading private space start-ups, Pixxel, onboard with this mission.
- Pixxel shifting from an earlier plan to use a Russian rocket, will be launching its first satellite on an Indian rocket.
- Department of Space Secretary K Sivan said that we are looking forward to a positive outcome from this launch.
- He said, Pixxel’s earth imaging satellites have the potential to solve some pressing issues of our time.
- Sivan also said that with the establishment of IN-SPACe, we will also be partnering with other private players that can help India achieve more milestones in the future.
- Pixxel has announced plans to make and launch a constellation of 30 satellites between December 2022 to June 2023.
- The company has also signed an agreement with Momentus Inc for launching its second satellite in 2021, with an option to fly again in 2022.
- Momentus Inc is in-space satellite transportation and Infrastructure Company.
- Pixxel CEO Awais Ahmed said that the company is very excited to initiate this ambitious journey in association with NSIL/ISRO.
- We are elated with the fact that India’s first commercial private satellite will now launch on an Indian rocket.
This is not only a proud moment for us as an organisation but also as citizens to work with our nation’s capabilities.
- The Department of Space and Pixxel will work in collaboration to enhance utilization and maximize the benefits of space assets for India.
- This first-of-a-kind private earth-observation mission will help provide solutions to many pressing environmental and agricultural issues.
- Pixxel is building a constellation of earth imaging small satellites that will provide global coverage every 24 hours once fully deployed.
- The satellites will collect high-throughput information-rich data that will be analysed using AI and ML models.
- It will help to make organisations more efficient in a plethora of sectors ranging from agriculture to urban monitoring among others.
By – Rajesh Tripathi
Links:-
https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/pixxel-signs-pact-with-nsil-to-launch-indias-first-private-remote-sensing-satellite-923460.html
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pixxel-signs-pact-with-nsil-to-launch-indias-first-private-remote-sensing-satellite/article33252294.ece