PICOSATS is a spin-off of the University of Trieste since 2014. The idea arose within the academic background in the Astrophysics Department of the University of Trieste, where the founder dr. prof. Anna Gregorio operated as an associate professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Picosats deals with very high technological contents, bearing at the basis a consideration: more than 16% of the entire world is currently unable to benefit from any kind of network connection. The development of an innovative component for miniaturized satellites, which can be manufactured by 3D printer, is the tool allowing the achievement of a better network covering of many areas of the world. The care of Picosats is also to minimize the environmental impact: plastic components have been studied to destroy themselves in orbit during the way back in order to have a minimal environmental impact. A new prototype Picosats is working on can also operate as a transceiver, which means it can both processing incoming data and transmitting outgoing data, making it the first in its class on the market.
The very high technological contents made the products of its small firm a unique in the entire world. The only possible competitor presently known is a NASA spin-off, but it deals with a technology mostly with military application: furthermore, it seems that this system is able only to receive data and not to retransmit them, too.
Although its destination is the space, the brand name of this product is strongly local. Picosats means “Small satellite from Trieste” (being “Pico” a short form for “piccolo”, i.e. small; SA for satellite and TS from Trieste). This small “Made in Trieste” satellites haven’t been sold yet, though their commercial launch should take place in a short time. Being a niche product, sales will be made through direct contacts (an intense commitment of Picosats with ESA provides a strong channel of dissemination of products and processes, also assuring frequent publications in specialized and scientific press). A further sale channel will be the so-called “cube satshops”, one-stop shops where it is possible to purchase also single satellite elements.