Hipparcos
Hipparcos Srl (Turin, Italy) designs and manufactures multicamera star trackers — ARGO 1.0 and ARGO 2.0 — for attitude determination and control on SmallSats and constellations, leveraging 40 years of heritage spun out of EICAS Automazione and led by Prof. Francesco Donati.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersTurin, Italy
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hipparcos does
Hipparcos Srl is an Italian private space-hardware company headquartered in Turin (Corso Re Umberto 5) that designs and manufactures multicamera star trackers for Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) on small satellites. The company was spun out of EICAS Automazione — founded in 1984 by Politecnico di Torino professors led by Prof. Francesco Donati — and commercializes 40 years of heritage in autonomous attitude determination from star measurement, including contributions to the 1989 ESA Hipparcos scientific mission. Its product portfolio comprises ARGO 1.0, a flight-heritage multicamera star tracker operational since January 2021, and ARGO 2.0, a next-generation redesign targeting large satellite constellations with reduced mass, power, and embedded-software integration into satellite onboard computers.
The underlying technology combines multiple optical heads with proprietary advanced processing algorithms for pattern recognition, intelligent data fusion, and in-orbit auto-calibration, achieving 30-60 milliarcsec-level attitude reconstruction accuracy and TRL9 validation on D-Orbit's ION SVC2 platform. ARGO 1.0 supports RS422, SpaceWire, and CANBus interfaces; ARGO 2.0 can be deployed with software embedded on the OBC or via a Data Processing Unit handling up to three optical heads. The company sells hardware directly to SmallSat operators, constellation operators, and spacecraft manufacturers on a custom enterprise-pricing basis with multi-year contracts, supplemented by ESA and EU non-dilutive development funding (H2020 SME Instrument grant GA 738589 in 2016, ESA ARTES C&G Contract 4000130361/20/NL/MM/ra in 2020).
The team is small (1-10 employees per firmographic data) and engineering-led, with 90% engineers, 40 years of domain experience, and 474 years of cumulative team age, drawing heavily on the EICAS Automazione and Politecnico di Torino ecosystem. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales reinforced by event-driven engagement at industry conferences (Space Tech Expo Europe 2023, Aerospace & Defense Meetings Torino 2025 via ESA BIC Turin). Named partners and customers include ESA, the Italian Space Agency, D-Orbit, TSD Space, Alenia Spazio, EADS Sodern, and Officine Galileo, with historic relationships tracing back to mono-head Italian Star Tracker, AST, and MHS2 ESA projects.
Hipparcos firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hipparcos
- Legal name
- HIPPARCOS Srl
- Website
- https://hipparcos.space
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Hipparcos Srl (Turin, Italy) designs and manufactures multicamera star trackers — ARGO 1.0 and ARGO 2.0 — for attitude determination and control on SmallSats and constellations, leveraging 40 years of heritage spun out of EICAS Automazione and led by Prof. Francesco Donati.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hipparcos industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Spacecraft Attitude Determination Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) for Space Systems (IMABACAG)
Keywords
Where Hipparcos is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Turin
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Hipparcos business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales - Star Tracker Systems: Sale of ARGO 1.0 and ARGO 2.0 multicamera star tracker systems to SmallSat operators, constellation operators, and spacecraft manufacturers. Products include smart cameras, RPCU units, and data processing units with varying configurations.
- ESA Contracts and Grants: European Space Agency contracts under ARTES C&G Programme for development, qualification and in-orbit demonstration/validation of star tracker technology.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom enterprise pricing based on configuration |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Hipparcos product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hipparcos manufactures and commercializes ARGO multicamera star trackers (ARGO 1.0 and ARGO 2.0) for Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) aboard SmallSats. The products autonomously determine spacecraft attitude, rate, acceleration, and derivative of acceleration, with proprietary advanced processing algorithms, intelligent multi-sensor data fusion, and in-orbit auto-calibration capabilities.
Product overview
HIPPARCOS provides Attitude Determination & Control Systems (ADCS) for SmallSats, based on 40 years of heritage. The product portfolio consists of two multicamera star tracker products: ARGO 1.0 (flight heritage since 2021) and ARGO 2.0 (next-generation redesign for constellations). Both products leverage proprietary advanced processing algorithms, intelligent data fusion from multiple sensors, and sophisticated in-orbit recalibration procedures, delivering accurate, reliable, robust, and low-cost attitude determination for small satellite platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ARGO 1.0 Multicamera Star Tracker A flight-heritage multicamera star tracker (since 2021) specifically designed for SmallSats, able to autonomously determine spacecraft attitude, rate, acceleration and derivative of acceleration. Features RS422, SpaceWire, and CANBus interfaces with an optional Router and Power Control Unit (RPCU). Sold to SmallSat operators, constellation operators, and spacecraft manufacturers.
- ARGO 2.0 Multicamera Star Tracker A 'smart redesign' of the ARGO 1.0 architecture targeting large satellite constellations. Features reduced mass and power consumption, software partially embedded on the satellite Onboard Computer (OBC), multiple optical heads with data fusion software, and seamless platform integration for microsat platforms. Up to 3 optical heads can be supported via Data Processing Unit (DPU).
Quantifiable outcome
- 30-60 milliarcsec attitude reconstruction accuracy (ESA Hipparcos Mission heritage)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Hipparcos
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Hipparcos technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature5 records
Hipparcos partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- European Space Agency (ESA)coreESA awarded grant for development, qualification and in-orbit demonstration/validation of ARGO 2.0 star tracker under ARTES C&G Programme (Contract 4000130361/20/NL/MM/ra). Project started April 2020.
- TSD SpacecorePartnership for ARGO 2.0 design during 2020-2021 period under ESA contract.
- D-OrbitcoreARGO 1.0 flight model integrated into D-Orbit ION SVC2 (Laurentius-Pulse Mission) platform. Successfully launched January 24, 2021 from Cape Canaveral.
- Alenia SpaziomajorCooperation for Mono-head Italian Star Tracker development (SAC-C satellite) and AST (Autonomous Star Tracker) ESA project.
- EADS SodernmajorPartnership for MHS2 (Miniaturized Multiple Head High Rate Star Sensor) ESA project with full property rights for multi-camera system design.
- Officine GalileomajorCo-operated for development of spacecraft autonomous gyroless attitude determination by star measurement system successfully used in SAC-C Argentinean satellite.
- EICAS AutomazionecoreParent company established 1984 by Politecnico di Torino professors. HIPPARCOS leverages on EICAS's 40-year heritage in Autonomous Attitude Determination Systems from star measurement. Led by Prof. Francesco Donati.
- ESA BIC TurinminorHipparcos is one of 20 start-ups supported by ESA BIC Turin incubation program, showcasing at Aerospace & Defense Meetings Torino 2025.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hipparcos competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GomSpace: GomSpace provides ADCS subsystems and components for nanosatellites and CubeSats, including star tracker modules, targeting similar small-satellite and constellation operator customers with comparable miniaturization focus.
- Blue Canyon Technologies: Blue Canyon Technologies (acquired by Raytheon) provides complete small satellite solutions including star trackers and ADCS components for CubeSats and SmallSats, directly competing in the same low-SWaP, high-volume market segment.
- AAC Clyde Space: AAC Clyde Space offers ADCS solutions and star trackers for CubeSats and small satellites, with comparable target customers (constellation operators, smallsat integrators) and a similar product positioning around low-SWaP, modular designs.
- Sodern: Sodern (an Airbus subsidiary) manufactures star trackers and optical sensors for space applications, including the historic MHS2 partnership with Hipparcos's predecessor. It is the most direct European competitor in the star tracker market for satellites.
- CubeSpace (NewSpace Systems): NewSpace Systems (formerly CubeSpace) supplies ADCS components including fine sun sensors and star trackers for small satellites, directly competing in the SmallSat ADCS market with comparable low-SWaP product positioning.
- Jena-Optronik: Jena-Optronik (part of the Airbus Defence and Space ecosystem) is a leading European supplier of star sensors and optical payloads for satellites, directly competing in the same target market of small and large satellite platforms.
Regional players
- Terma: Terma is a Danish aerospace and defense company that supplies star trackers and ADCS components for European satellite programs, offering similar products primarily within the European institutional market where Hipparcos also operates.
Broad incumbents
- Ball Aerospace: Ball Aerospace is a large US aerospace prime with heritage in high-performance star trackers for government and commercial satellites, operating at significantly larger scale across broader mission portfolios than Hipparcos.
- Redwire Space: Redwire Space provides a broad portfolio of space hardware including avionics and attitude control components, competing indirectly in the same SmallSat and constellation supply chain as a larger, publicly listed incumbent.
- Leonardo: Leonardo is an Italian aerospace prime with a much broader product portfolio that includes star trackers and attitude sensors, leveraging existing relationships with European space primes and agencies that overlap with Hipparcos's customer base.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hipparcos social profiles
Digital presenceHipparcos financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hipparcos leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Hipparcos funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Hipparcos 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 Hipparcos
What does Hipparcos do?
Hipparcos manufactures and commercializes ARGO multicamera star trackers (ARGO 1.0 and ARGO 2.0) for Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) aboard SmallSats. The products autonomously determine spacecraft attitude, rate, acceleration, and derivative of acceleration, with proprietary advanced processing algorithms, intelligent multi-sensor data fusion, and in-orbit auto-calibration capabilities.
Is Hipparcos a public or private company?
Hipparcos is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Hipparcos founded?
Hipparcos was founded in 1984. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Hipparcos based?
Hipparcos is headquartered in Turin, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Hipparcos make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales - Star Tracker Systems are the primary driver. The others are ESA Contracts and Grants.
Who are Hipparcos's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GomSpace, Blue Canyon Technologies, AAC Clyde Space, Sodern, CubeSpace (NewSpace Systems) and Jena-Optronik. Terma is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Ball Aerospace, Redwire Space and Leonardo.
Does Hipparcos have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hipparcos.
What industry is Hipparcos in?
Hipparcos's product category is Spacecraft Attitude Determination Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAG, Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) for Space Systems. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.