The first nanosatellite made in the Principality of Monaco, \u2018OSM-1 CICERO\u2019 was successfully placed on a polar orbit at 530 Km altitude by Arianespace\u2019s Vega launcher (VV16) from the space center in Kourou (French Guyana) on September 2nd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Produced in Monaco\u2019s 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\u2019s first satellite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s involvement in the new, promising high-tech sector of \u201cNew Space\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n