HENON is carried out within the European Space Agency’s (ESA) General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) – “Fly” element – thanks to funding from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) through the ALCOR program, along with contributions from the United Kingdom and Finland.
From the bustling corridors of the Small Satellite Conference in Salt Lake City to the far reaches of unexplored orbits between Earth and the Sun, Argotec’s latest creation — the Power Suite Curie — is redefining how small satellites survive and thrive in the most hostile corners of space.
Unveiled a couple of weeks at SmallSat (August 10–13, 2025): we already talked about this in last week’s article, CURIE is no ordinary satellite component. This ultra-compact, ultra-resilient Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU) acts as the “electric heart” of a spacecraft, ensuring every subsystem gets the power it needs — even when deep space radiation is trying its best to shut everything down.
For those following our recent coverage on Argotec and our deep dives into space weather – with both articles and videos on our YouTube Channel, CURIE sits right at the intersection of innovation and necessity. Space weather — the storms of charged particles and radiation unleashed by the Sun — can cripple satellites and disrupt communications back on Earth. Studying it requires spacecraft that can withstand intense radiation for months or even years. That’s where CURIE shines.
Built for Deep Space, Born in Torino
Developed in Torino, Italy, through a co-engineering effort with the European Space Agency (ESA), CURIE was designed to push the boundaries of where small satellites can operate. Unlike conventional PCDUs, it is miniaturized, modular, and exceptionally radiation-hardened. That means it can adapt to different mission profiles, survive extreme thermal shifts, and manage high electrical loads without faltering.
Its first major test will come with HENON, a mission funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) with ESA support, set to launch in late 2026. HENON will travel an astonishing 24.6 million kilometers from Earth to the Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) — a region no spacecraft has yet visited. Over a journey lasting more than a year, CURIE will keep HENON alive and powered, enabling continuous monitoring of space weather precisely when solar radiation is at its peak.
What Is CURIE?
The CURIE Power Suite is a miniature yet powerful “electric heart” for satellites. Developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), CURIE can manage satellite power for years in harsh conditions, including high radiation zones more than 24 million kilometers from Earth. Its compact, modular design allows it to adapt to different satellite platforms while offering:
- Exceptional radiation resistance
- Extended operational lifetime
- High-power management capability
These features make CURIE a game-changer for deep space exploration and space weather monitoring.
A Heritage of Firsts
Argotec is no stranger to deep space challenges. The company’s earlier PCDU, VOLTA, powered the LICIACube and ArgoMoon missions, making Argotec the first in the world to operate two small satellites simultaneously in deep space — one of which still holds the record as the farthest Italian-made object from Earth at 14 million kilometers.
With CURIE, those records are set to be broken. HENON will not only journey farther but also gather real-time space weather data that could prove vital for safeguarding future astronauts, spacecraft, and even power grids on Earth.
Shaping the Future of Space Exploration
“CURIE represents a paradigm shift for the Italian and international space industry,” says David Avino, CEO of Argotec. “With this technology, we will enable a new generation of robotic exploration missions capable of pushing scientific research beyond current boundaries.”
For Argotec, deep space is more than a destination — it’s a legacy. The company has built its reputation on transforming complex engineering challenges into compact, reliable solutions. CURIE is the latest chapter in that story, one that will help carry science to places we’ve never seen and bring back data that could change how we understand the Sun, space, and our own planet’s safety.
As we look toward HENON’s launch in 2026, one thing is certain: the electric heart beating inside that spacecraft will not only power its mission — it will pulse at the frontier of human exploration.
