The first nanosatellite made in the Principality of Monaco, ‘OSM-1 CICERO’ was successfully placed on a polar orbit at 530 Km altitude by Arianespace’s Vega launcher (VV16) from the space center in Kourou (French Guyana) on September 2nd.
Produced in Monaco’s laboratory, this nano satellite weighing 10 Kg and measuring 20x10x30 cm orbits the earth every 90 minutes. Fitted with a miniature, highly sophisticated instrument originally conceived at JPL/NASA, the satellite will collect important weather/climate data by means of radio occultation technique. OSM-1 CICERO will be registered by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) as Monaco’s first satellite.
The launch of the Vega rocket, which carries various small satellites, was delayed for some time following the closing of the space center due to COVID-19 and abnormally persistent adverse winds during the summer. The satellite successfully completed its commissioning phase. This historical launch marks the beginning of the Principality’s involvement in the new, promising high-tech sector of “New Space”.
The path of the satellite and the timing of its passing over Monaco can be followed on the ‘Track Our Satellite’ page here.