Hyperspectral imagery of Abu Dhabi. Photo: Pixxel

NASA has selected eight companies to provide commercial satellite data to support the agency’s Earth science research. NASA announced the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program On-Ramp1 Multiple Award contract on Sept. 6 with a maximum cumulative value of $476 million. 

BlackSky, Iceye US, MDA, Pixxel, Planet, Satellogic, Teledyne Brown Engineering, and Tomorrow.io were selected. Under the contract, the companies are eligible to provide Earth observation data and services to NASA in a performance period through Nov. 15, 2028. 

Many of these companies have been a part of the commercial smallsat data program and continue to be a part of it. Planet has been part of CSDA since its inception in 2017. 

This is the first time that Pixxel has been part of the CSDA. The company will provide NASA with hyperspectral Earth observation data. 

“Being selected for this NASA contract is a monumental achievement for Pixxel and further validates that hyperspectral imaging will be integral to the future of space-based Earth observation and enable us to truly build a health monitor for the planet,” said Awais Ahmed, co-founder and CEO of Pixxel. “We are deeply honored to support NASA’s Earth Observation initiatives and demonstrate the transformative potential of Pixxel’s hyperspectral technology in addressing critical environmental challenges.”

Last year, NASA awarded Airbus DS Geo, Capella Space, GHGSat, Maxar Intelligence, PlanetiQ, Spire Global, and Umbra Lab CSDA contracts in a five-year period.