New Delhi: Under its flagship initiative – Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Ministry of Defence signed the 350th contract with SpacePixxel Technologies Pvt Ltd for the design and development of a ‘miniaturised satellite capable of carrying electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and hyperspectral payloads up to 150 kgs’, the defence ministry announced on June 25.
Led by the Indian Air Force, this challenge aims to innovate in space electronics by miniaturising payloads that were previously deployed on large satellites. The 150th iDEX contract was signed in December 2022.
Capable of carrying electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and hyperspectral payloads up to 150 kg, the miniaturised satellite will provide significant advantages. “This 350th iDEX contract enables innovation in space electronics, wherein many payloads earlier deployed on dedicated large satellites are now being miniaturised,” the Ministry said.
According to the Defence Ministry, the modular small satellite will integrate multiple miniaturised payloads as per requirement, providing advantages like faster and economical deployment, ease of manufacturing, scalability, adaptability, and less environmental impact.
SpacePixxel has been actively working to build and launch high-resolution hyperspectral imaging satellites to provide detailed earth observation data. The contract was exchanged between Additional Secretary (Defence Production) & CEO, Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) Anurag Bajpai and Founder and CEO of SpacePixxel Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Awais Ahmed Nadeem Alduri.
The iDEX initiative, established by the DIO under the Department of Defence Production, has launched 11 editions of the Defence India Start-up Challenge and recently unveiled the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies.
The Ministry has achieved this significant milestone within 18 months of signing the 150th iDEX contract in December 2022. Commending the new defence innovators for their dedication to advancing technology and ensuring national security, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said, “The unwavering commitment of new defence innovators is pushing the boundaries of technology and safeguarding the nation. We assure them of all possible support.”
Till now, procurement of 35 items, worth over Rs 2,000 crore, has been cleared. The iDEX was the recipient of Prime Minister Award for Public Policy in Innovation Category in 2021 and is currently engaged with over 400 start-ups and MSMEs.
