ANYWAVES has signed a contract with Pixxel, a NewSpace startup with operations in India.
One of the main objectives set by ANYWAVES in early 2020 was to make India a key market and establish long term collaboration with Indian NewSpace companies. Just one year after the first mission on the occasion of the Space Technology Conclave Thiruvananthapuram, the challenges have been met.
Last December, ANYWAVES received an order for two flight models of the company’s S-band TT&C (Tracking, Telemetry, and Control) antenna. The company will equip a smallsat planned to be put into orbit by Pixxel in late 2021. Optimized for platforms’ telemetry and telecommand, these antennas have space heritage and will be used to pilot the satellite, send instructions as well as ensure the platform’s proper functioning.
Pixxel’s satellites used for Earth-imaging aim to provide global coverage every 24 hours, enabling organizations around the globe to detect, monitor and predict global phenomena in near real time.
A symbol of an historic cooperation initiated by the French and Indian space agencies, CNES and ISRO, the collaboration between ANYWAVES and Pixxel exemplifies how ambitious the New Space industry players are and this contract is a new, commercial success for ANYWAVES, paving the way to future developments in India. Being selected by Pixxel also allows the French manufacturer to get closer to the firm’s goal of becoming the leader of miniature antennas for satellite constellations.