Picosats
Picosats is an Italian space-technology spin-off from the University of Trieste that designs and manufactures miniaturized satellite telecommunications equipment—including transponders, software-defined radios, and high-gain antennas—for CubeSat and small-satellite operators serving LEO and GEO communications, Earth observation, and maritime applications.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersTrieste, Italy
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Picosats does
Picosats S.r.l. is a privately held Italian space-technology company founded in 2014 as a spin-off from the University of Trieste, headquartered at Area Science Park in Trieste. The company designs and manufactures miniaturized satellite telecommunications equipment for CubeSats and small satellites, organized under two product sub-brands: Radiosat (non-regenerative transponders, Ka-band datalink transmitters, and software-defined radios operating across K/Ka, Ku, and programmable 300 MHz–7 GHz bands) and Beamsat (cost-effective high-gain horn and patch antennas in K/Ka, Ku, K-band, and X-band). Its products target extreme miniaturization (sub-1U volumes, sub-1 kg mass) while delivering up to 4 Gbps throughput via DVB-S2X and CCSDS-compatible waveforms, with applications spanning LEO and GEO satellite communications, Earth observation data downlink, TT&C, constellation inter-satellite links, maritime autonomous-vessel communications, and atmospheric science missions.
The company operates a dual revenue model combining direct hardware sales of SATCOM equipment to satellite operators and integrators with funded research and development services delivered under ESA, ASI, and EU programs (Horizon 2020, POR FESR, NextGenerationEU). As of mid-2023 the company had raised a €2.13M seed round led by Progress Tech Transfer with LIFTT and Galaxia (CDP Venture Capital), supplemented by approximately €437K of cumulative grant funding. The go-to-market motion is enterprise field sales anchored at major space industry events (Space Symposium, IAC, ESA 4S Symposium), combined with in-orbit demonstration partnerships—most notably with D-Orbit aboard the ION Satellite Carrier—to establish flight heritage. The company had 1-10 employees at the time of the data and had not yet publicly disclosed revenue or commercial unit volumes.
Picosats firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Picosats
- Legal name
- PICOSATS S.r.l.
- Website
- https://picosats.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Picosats is an Italian space-technology spin-off from the University of Trieste that designs and manufactures miniaturized satellite telecommunications equipment—including transponders, software-defined radios, and high-gain antennas—for CubeSat and small-satellite operators serving LEO and GEO communications, Earth observation, and maritime applications.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Picosats industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Satellite Telecommunications Equipment
- NAICS
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33422)
- SIC
- Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Satellite Ground Segment & Gateway Services (Teleports, Gateways, Ground Station-as-a-Service) (HDAIAJAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM)
Keywords
Where Picosats is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Trieste
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Picosats business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Satellite Telecommunications Equipment Sales: Picosats generates revenue through the sale of miniaturized transponders, antennas, and software-defined radio products for CubeSats and small satellites. Products are sold directly to satellite operators and integrators for LEO and GEO applications.
- Research and Development Services: The company participates in funded R&D projects supported by ESA, ASI, and EU programs (Horizon 2020, POR FESR), contributing to revenue through grants and project-based work.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Picosats product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Picosats designs and manufactures miniaturized satellite telecommunications systems for CubeSats and small satellites. Its product portfolio comprises two sub-brands: Radiosat (non-regenerative transponders, Ka-band datalink transmitters, and software-defined radios) and Beamsat (high-gain horn and patch antennas) covering K, Ka, Ku, and X frequency bands for LEO and GEO applications.
Product overview
Picosats is a satellite telecommunications company that designs and manufactures a portfolio of advanced SATCOM equipment for CubeSats and small satellites. The product portfolio consists of two main sub-brands: Radiosat (transponders and SDR modems) and Beamsat (antennas). The Radiosat line includes the K/KA-BAND Transponder, KU-BAND Transponder, KA-BAND Datalink Transmitter, and Software Defined Radio (SDR) — covering the full signal chain from RF front-end transceivers to high-throughput modems. The Beamsat line includes the K/KA-BAND Horn Antenna, KU-BAND Horn Antenna, K-BAND Patch Antenna, and X-BAND Patch Antenna — providing complementary high-gain antenna solutions across K, Ka, Ku, and X frequency bands. Both product lines share a common focus on miniaturization, LEO/GEO compatibility, and cost-effective designs targeting the New Space Economy. The company also carries active R&D programs including Radiosat Q/V (Q/V band up to 52 GHz), SAT-PRO (complete satellite telecommunication system), BRICSAT (3D-printed polymer satellite structure), SATCROSS (water vapor observation mission), and QUANTUM SHIP (maritime autonomous communication), alongside the completed KA-BAND TRANSCEIVER and BEAMSAT 2 ESA-funded projects.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Radiosat: Product line for miniaturized non-regenerative transponders for CubeSats and small satellites, including K/Ka-band transponder, Ku-band transponder, Ka-band datalink transmitter, and Software Defined Radio.
- Beamsat
Products and services
- Radiosat K/KA-BAND Transponder A miniaturized non-regenerative bent-pipe transponder for CubeSats and small satellites operating in K/Ka-band (downlink 17.8-20.2 GHz, uplink 27.6-30.0 GHz), with 0.5 U volume, 700 g mass, customizable bandwidth from 400 kHz to 500 MHz, and gain adjustable in 60 dB range.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 4 Gbps transmission data rates in <0.5 U volume SDR
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Picosats
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Picosats technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Picosats partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- D-Orbit S.p.A.coreSpace logistics transportation company contracted for in-orbit demonstration of Picosats' RADIOSAT Ka-band transponder and BEAMSAT K/Ka-band horn antenna aboard the ION Satellite Carrier, scheduled for October 2023 at SSO altitude of 500-600 km. This partnership enables Picosats to achieve flight heritage and enter the SATCOM equipment market.
- European Space Agency (ESA)coreESA supports multiple Picosats R&D projects including: KA-BAND TRANSCEIVER (Miniaturized Ka-band FSS Transponder for Small Satellites, contract No. 4000117224/16/UK/AD, completed 2021) and BEAMSAT 2 (Cost-Effective High-Gain CubeSat Antennas, Contract No. 4000129811/20/NL/AF, completed 2022). ESA also supported QUANTUM SHIP feasibility study for autonomous shipping communication.
- ASI (Italian Space Agency)coreASI supports Picosats' BRICSAT project under Horizon 2020 SME Instrument Phase 1 (grant agreement No 782178) and SATCROSS project (Contract No. 2020-2-U.O, CUP: F94I17000010005) for water vapor observation missions.
- CNIT – Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le TelecomunicazioniminorNational Interuniversity Consortium for Telecommunications serving as prime contractor for the SATCROSS project, with Picosats as sub-contractor working on satellite formation flying mission analysis and RF payload design.
- University of TriestecorePicosats was founded in 2014 as a spin-off from the University of Trieste. Ongoing collaborative relationships include joint research on BRICSAT developments and the RISE team (with Department of Engineering and Architecture) that won ESA Space Exploration Masters competition.
- Area Science ParkcoreScience park in Trieste where Picosats is headquartered, providing facilities and ecosystem for innovative technology companies in the region.
- SESminorSatellite operator company listed as a partner, suggesting potential collaboration on satellite communications infrastructure and services.
- Space Applications ServicesminorCompany that sponsored the ESA Space Exploration Masters competition and provided the ICE Cubes experiment facility aboard the International Space Station for validating Picosats' hardware in spaceflight conditions.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Picosats competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GomSpace: Danish-listed small satellite mission specialist that designs and manufactures CubeSat subsystems including communication systems and antennas. Directly comparable to Picosats in targeting the small satellite market with miniaturized RF communications products.
- Innovative Solutions In Space (ISIS): Dutch CubeSat component manufacturer offering radio systems, antennas, and complete small satellite platforms. Direct competitor in the CubeSat/SmallSat communications subsystem market with overlapping customer base.
- AAC Clyde Space: Swedish-listed small satellite company providing space subsystems and complete missions, including communication systems for CubeSats. Directly competes in miniaturized satellite communications.
- NanoAvionics: Lithuanian small satellite mission integrator and bus manufacturer with communications subsystems for CubeSats and small sats. Direct peer in the small sat communications equipment market.
- Anywaves: French CubeSat antenna specialist making high-performance antennas for small satellites. Closely comparable to Picosats' Beamsat product line in target market and product category.
Emerging players
- EnduroSat: Bulgarian CubeSat platform and subsystem provider targeting the commercial small satellite market with overlapping product focus on CubeSat communications.
Broad incumbents
- Thales Alenia Space: Major European satellite manufacturer offering full satellite communications systems, payloads, and ground equipment. Broad incumbent in satellite telecommunications with much larger scope than Picosats' CubeSat focus.
- Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL): UK-based small satellite manufacturer and Airbus subsidiary offering complete satellites and subsystems including communications. Larger incumbent in the small satellite market with broader portfolio.
- L3Harris Technologies: Major US aerospace and defense company producing satellite communications equipment, payloads, and ground systems. Broad incumbent with capabilities spanning commercial and government space communications.
- Honeywell Aerospace: Large aerospace electronics manufacturer producing satellite communications components and subsystems. Broad incumbent with deep R&D resources that could enter or expand in CubeSat SATCOM.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Picosats social profiles
Digital presencePicosats compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Picosats financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Picosats leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Picosats funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Picosats M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Picosats
What does Picosats do?
Picosats designs and manufactures miniaturized satellite telecommunications systems for CubeSats and small satellites. Its product portfolio comprises two sub-brands: Radiosat (non-regenerative transponders, Ka-band datalink transmitters, and software-defined radios) and Beamsat (high-gain horn and patch antennas) covering K, Ka, Ku, and X frequency bands for LEO and GEO applications.
Is Picosats a public or private company?
Picosats is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Picosats founded?
Picosats was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Picosats based?
Picosats is headquartered in Trieste, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Picosats make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Satellite Telecommunications Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are research and Development Services.
Who are Picosats's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GomSpace, Innovative Solutions In Space (ISIS), AAC Clyde Space, NanoAvionics and Anywaves. EnduroSat is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Thales Alenia Space, Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL), L3Harris Technologies and Honeywell Aerospace.
Does Picosats have an API?
No public API is recorded for Picosats.
What industry is Picosats in?
Picosats's product category is Satellite Telecommunications Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAJAH, Satellite Ground Segment & Gateway Services (Teleports, Gateways, Ground Station-as-a-Service), with a secondary code of HDAFAIAM, Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE). Its NAICS code is 33422 and its SIC code is 3663.