Bengaluru-based space startup Pixxel has become the first Indian company to secure a contract with NASA under its $476 million Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program. This marks a significant achievement since the space sector opened to private companies in 2020. Pixxel will provide hyperspectral earth observation data to NASA, U.S. government, and academic partners until 2028. This data will support critical research on climate change, agriculture, and resource management. With plans to launch six more satellites.