PICASSO

The PICASSO CubeSat (Pico-Satellite for Atmospheric and Space Science Observations) marked a significant milestone in compact space science missions. Developed under the European Space Agency’s program, PICASSO was built and delivered by AAC Clyde Space in Glasgow, United Kingdom. This 3U form factor CubeSat was commissioned by ESA and developed by the Belgian Institute of Space Aeronomy in collaboration with VTT Finland. The spacecraft launched in September 2020 through VEGA’s Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) and completed it’s mission April 2024.

ESA PICASSO Mission Overview

The PICASSO mission aimed to:

Monitor ozone profiles in Earth’s stratosphere using atmospheric limb sounding in the visible light spectrum.
Measure electron density and temperature in the ionospheric plasma surrounding the spacecraft.
Demonstrate that high-quality scientific measurements could be achieved using a very small satellite platform.

These capabilities were essential for improving our understanding of atmospheric chemistry and the state of the ozone layer—an increasingly urgent focus in climate science.

Scientific Payload

PICASSO carried two scientific instruments, both integrated into the miniaturized CubeSat design:

Hyper-Spectral Imager:
This instrument analyzed sunlight filtered through the atmosphere during orbital sunrises and sunsets to generate ozone concentration profiles. It enabled precise mapping of ozone in the stratosphere, contributing to assessments of ozone layer health.
Sweeping Langmuir Probe:
This sensor measured electron density and temperature in the plasma environment surrounding the satellite, providing valuable data on ionospheric conditions and space weather dynamics.

Mission Highlights

AAC Clyde Space was responsible for the design, manufacturing, and integration of the PICASSO satellite platform. The 3U CubeSat, with its distinctive gold-plated exterior, exemplified advanced satellite engineering and precise payload integration. The company provided a high-performance solution tailored to the mission’s strict scientific requirements.

Science missions such as PICASSO monitor in real time and send this data back to earth for analysis, a vital contribution to our understanding and ultimately the preservation of the ozone layer.

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PICASSO the Golden Satellite

Built for Advancing Atmospheric Science