The mission is aimed at providing crucial data to support various ongoing international programs. More specifically, these observations will be instrumental in the search for exoplanets, the characterization of stars, and the observation of bright transient phenomena such as supernovae and kilonovae.
“This initiative represents the first time we are developing an astrophysical satellite through Open Cosmos, which will generate valuable insights into NewSpace technologies and enhance collaboration between the public and private sectors,” states Rafel Jordà Siquier, CEO and Founder of Open Cosmos.
This 12U CubeSat will carry an astronomy payload that has been designed and built by the IEEC. It will be equipped with two telescopes, enabling it to scan and photometrically track the entire visible sky every two days, utilizing an innovative system of rotating mirrors to observe in both visible and ultraviolet spectral bands.
The satellite is expected to launch by the end of 2025 and will operate in a sun-synchronous low Earth orbit at an altitude of no less than 500 km.
This new partnership between Open Cosmos and the IEEC follows previous successful collaborations, such as the launch of MENUT, the second satellite mission under the NewSpace Strategy of Catalonia, which is promoted by the Government of Catalonia. Open Cosmos will be responsible for designing and constructing the satellite platform, including a precision pointing system that will allow the satellite to capture images of the most distant stars.
Moreover, the company will provide the infrastructure necessary to operate the satellite and facilitate the transfer of all generated data to the Instrument Operations and Science Data Centre of the IEEC.
PhotSat signifies a major milestone for Open Cosmos, illustrating its growing capabilities and platforms as one of Europe’s leading space technology firms.
It also emphasizes the IEEC’s capacity to spearhead the complete development and utilization of scientific space missions, as well as its commitment to establishing a new space innovation hub in the region. This initiative aims to stimulate economic growth and enhance research infrastructures in space, ultimately benefiting the research and talent ecosystem.
Additionally, the mission will pave the way for the development of academic and industrial infrastructure that can support future end-to-end missions and projects utilizing small satellite technology, all while ensuring rapid development timelines.
This capability is essential for Open Cosmos, as it allows new stakeholders to take advantage of their own space data. This is part of Open Cosmos’s broader mission to democratize access to space by providing affordable mission delivery and increasing access to critical space data.