Pixxel and Exotrail Announce Electric Propulsion Contract
Pixxel, a planetary intelligence company that builds and operates some of the world’s most advanced imaging satellites, today announced a partnership with Exotrail, a France-based electric propulsion provider, to equip its space infrastructure with Exotrail’s top-tier spaceware™ propulsion systems.
This announcement was made on the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurating the India-France innovation year, highlighting growing technological collaboration between the two nations.
Building Scalable Space Infrastructure Together
Under this agreement, Pixxel will integrate Exotrail’s spaceware™ electric propulsion systems across its upcoming satellite deployments, with deliveries extending through 2027. The systems will support Pixxel’s expanding Earth Observation constellation and broader space infrastructure roadmap.Pixxel’s constellation is designed to deliver high-resolution Earth Observation data globally, enabling deeper insights into climate, resources, and industrial activity.Exotrail’s spaceware™ portfolio includes space-proven modular Hall-Effect electric propulsion systems designed for satellites ranging from 10 to 1,000 kg. The system now holds more than 600 hours of firing in orbit and 2000 cycles, notably proven onboard Exotrail’s own servicing satellite, the spacevan™. With more than 150 units in backlog for customers worldwide, spaceware™’s manufacturing pace is increasing in 1300m² (140.000ft/sq) world-class industrial facilities installed in 2025.
Thanks to its high level of thrust and modularity, spaceware™ also drastically improves satellite deployment, increases service performance, and contributes to the reduction of space pollution – a global challenge to answer collectively.
A collaboration that fuels the Indian-French dynamic in space
This agreement was announced on February 17th, during the inauguration of the India-France innovation year in Mumbai, attended by the President of the Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi.
Space is a fundamental element of the cooperation between France and India, as evidenced by Exotrail’s invitation to participate in the French delegation of companies accompanying the French President.
Both Pixxel and Exotrail work closely with their respective national space ecosystems, and this collaboration underscores the increasing alignment between Indian and French space innovation at a time of expanding global demand for satellite infrastructure.
Jean-Luc Maria, CEO of Exotrail, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Pixxel as a new customer of Exotrail, at a timely moment in the Indian-French innovation relation. Partnering with this new generation Earth Observation key stakeholder is a success for Exotrail, and validates that thespaceware™ systems are a worldclass propulsion offer, at the service of growing space infrastructure and the dynamic Earth Observation market – which Pixxel embodies.”
Awais Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Pixxel, adds:
“As we expand our satellite infrastructure, propulsion becomes central to mission flexibility and long-term performance. Partnering with Exotrail strengthens our roadmap for scalable, efficient space systems, while also reflecting the growing collaboration between the Indian and French space ecosystems."
