Satellite Constellations

  • Pixxel's Constellations Overview

    Pixxel operates two primary satellite constellations: Firefly and Honeybee. Each constellation has distinct capabilities tailored for different spectral ranges, with Firefly focusing on VNIR (Visible and Near-Infrared) imaging and Honeybee offering both VNIR and SWIR (Short-Wave Infrared) capabilities.

    The table below provides a comprehensive comparison of the key technical specifications and operational parameters for both constellations:

    Parameters Firefly Constellation Honeybee Constellation
    Ground Spatial Distance (GSD) 5.36 meters 5 meters
    Swath 40 km 10 km SWIR
    30 km VNIR
    Wavelength range 470 - 900 nm 470 - 2500 nm
    Total available bands 150 bands ~160 VNIR, ~100 SWIR
    Total selectable bands 45 bands Total: 72
    VNIR - 46, SWIR - 26
    Orbit Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSO)
    Satellites maintain same position relative to the sun    		 Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSO)
    Satellites maintain same position relative to the sun
    Orbit Inclination  97.65° 97.45°
    Altitude 590 km 550 km (TBD)
    Equator Crossing Time 10 - 11 AM 10 - 11 AM
    Off-nadir angle/slew +/- 20° (+/-10° recommended) +/- 20° (+/-10° recommended)
    Revisit time 1 - 2 days (based on latitude) 1 - 4 days (based on latitude)
    Cloud cover thresholds <20% <20%
    Imagery bit depth 10 bits of dynamic range, stretched to fill a 16-bit container 10 bits of dynamic range, stretched to fill a 16-bit container

    For more details, please refer to the Link.

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  • Firefly Constellation (470–900 nm with 5m Resolution)

    The Firefly Satellites are planned to be launched in 2024. The sensors on these satellites are equipped to provide hyperspectral imagery of 160 bands in the 470–900 nm range at a 5-meter GSD.

    Mission Characteristics

    Parameters Firefly Constellation
    Ground Spatial Distance (GSD) 5.4 meters
    Swath 40 km
    Wavelength range 470 - 900 nm
    Band Information Bandwidths: 2nm - 11 nm
    Range: 467.9 nm - 902.6 nm, 161 hyperspectral bands
    Total available bands ~160 bands
    Total selectable bands ~50 bands
    Orbit Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO), 97.65° inclination
    Altitude 565 km
    Equator Crossing Time 10 - 11 AM
    Off-nadir angle (ONA)/slew +/- 20° (+/-10° recommended)
    Revisit time 1 - 4 days
    Cloud cover thresholds <20%
    Imagery bit depth 10 bits of dynamic range, stretched to fill a 16-bit container

     

    For more details, please refer to the Link.

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  • Honeybee Constellation (470–2500 nm with 5m Resolution)

    The Honeybee satellites are planned to be launched in 2026. The sensors on these satellites are equipped to provide hyperspectral imagery of 260 bands in the 470–2500 nm range at a 5-meter GSD.

     

    Mission Characteristics 

    Parameters Honeybee Constellation
    Ground Spatial Distance (GSD) 5 meters
    Swath 10 km SWIR
    30 km VNIR
    Wavelength range 470 - 2500 nm
    Total available bands ~160 VNIR, ~100 SWIR
    Total selectable bands Total: 72
    VNIR - 46, SWIR - 26
    Orbit Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO), 97.45° inclination
    Altitude 550 km (TBD)
    Equator Crossing Time 10 - 11 AM
    Off-nadir angle (ONA)/slew +/- 20° (+/-10° recommended)
    Revisit time 1 - 4 days
    Cloud cover thresholds <20%
    Imagery bit depth 10 bits of dynamic range, stretched to fill a 16-bit container

     

    For more details, please refer to the Link.

    See more