“Curie,” a miniature electric heart takes satellites into unexplored areas

A miniature, highly resistant electrical heart capable of spreading energy and carrying small satellites , even in extreme conditions and exposed to solar radiation, to previously unexplored parts of the Universe far from Earth . This could be used to study and monitor, for example, space weather and its impact on our lives. This is Power Suite Curie , an innovative and futuristic technology developed by the Italian company Argotec – a company specializing in the construction of satellites and their subsystems – which is set to redefine the future of deep-space missions. Argotec will present this innovation with a technical paper at the Small Satellite Conference in Salt Lake City , one of the world's leading conferences dedicated to the future of space.

Power Suite Curie is a next-generation Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU), the "electrical heart" of satellites. It is extremely small and designed to manage electrical power onboard satellites for extended periods and under extreme conditions, namely in deep space, over 24 million km from Earth and exposed to radiation. Power Suite Curie is the result of a co-engineering project with the European Space Agency (ESA) and marks a decisive leap forward, destined to significantly expand the capabilities of the international space industry. The goal is to provide technology capable of enabling pioneering missions aimed at deep space and space weather monitoring. Curie features a miniaturized, compact, and modular design, capable of adapting to various satellite platforms.

Added to these features are cutting-edge technical performance : unprecedented radiation resistance, extended operating life and very high power management.

All these characteristics allow Curie to be the powerhouse of Henon: the mission that, at the end of 2026, will launch toward the Sun, traveling up to 24.6 million kilometers from Earth to reach the unexplored Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) . During its solo journey of over a year, Curie will ensure the satellite's power and reliability, maintaining the vital functions of its subsystems. Henon is a technology demonstrator developed as part of the General Support Technology Programme (GSTP), 'FLY' element, of the European Space Agency (ESA) with funding from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) through the ALCOR program, along with contributions from the United Kingdom and Finland. "Curie represents a paradigm shift for the Italian and international space industry," commented David Avino , CEO of Argotec. "With this technology, we will enable next-generation robotic exploration missions, capable of taking scientific research beyond current boundaries. We have an incredible team, which shows us every day how innovation, vision, and collaboration can shape the future of space, overcoming previous limitations. We are proud to advance our expertise and enhance it in the service of science: deep space is our history, it is what has made us what we are today, and it is a challenge we return to take on together with ESA and ASI, solid partners who have worked on many years of success and programs."