SIIS Co., Ltd. has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pixxel, a U.S.-India-based space technology company that is building the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation, to supply hyperspectral satellite data in Korea.
Pixxel’s hyperspectral data offers far greater spectral detail than traditional multispectral data, enabling precise analysis of the physical and chemical properties of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere.
SIIS plans to strengthen its Earth Observation (EO) business with the launch of its ultra-high-resolution satellite, SpaceEye-T, in March of 2025. Developed with domestic private technology and investment, SpaceEye-T will be Korea’s first private EO satellite capable of delivering 30 cm-class, ultra-high-resolution, spatial information. With this, SIIS aims to compete with global leaders in the geospatial industry.
Through this partnership with Pixxel, SIIS intends to enhance its market competitiveness by combining precise spatial information obtained from ultra-high-resolution imagery with the material-specific properties of hyperspectral data. The company expects this integration will enable users to leverage the unique characteristics and strengths of different data types, meeting diverse analytical demands and expanding the applications of satellite data.
Pixxel is gearing up to launch its Fireflies constellation, consisting of six commercial-grade hyperspectral satellites, in early 2025. Designed to deliver 5 meter resolution, a 40 kilometer swath, and daily revisit capabilities across hundreds of bands, this constellation will provide unparalleled global coverage and enable industries to access high-fidelity hyperspectral data for a wide range of applications, including agriculture, climate monitoring, and resource management.
SIIS CEO Kim Moon-Gyu said, “Through this collaboration with Pixxel, we will expand our offerings beyond optical and radar imagery to include hyperspectral data. We are committed to broadening the scope of satellite data applications and providing valuable insights to the Earth observation solutions market.”
Awais Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Pixxel, said, “This partnership with SIIS marks an exciting opportunity for us. Together, we aim to provide transformative insights that enable end-users across industries to tackle complex challenges. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to building a health monitor for the planet and advancing Earth observation solutions globally.”
Pixxel’s Chief Commercial Officer, Aakash Parekh, said, “We are thrilled to partner with SIIS and could not think of a better way to enter the Korean market with our groundbreaking 5-meter hyperspectral dataset.” He added, “SIIS has built a high-calibre team with deep expertise, ideally suited to educate end-users across agriculture, energy, environment, and defence on the transformative benefits of hyperspectral technology.”
