Overview
- Prime contractor Argotec has completed the detailed spacecraft design, with the mission passing its Critical Design Review in October 2025.
- Engineers are beginning FlatSat functional testing and preparing environmental qualification to validate performance under launch and deep-space conditions.
- Henon is slated to rideshare to the Sun–Earth L2 point in late 2026 before using electric propulsion to reach a Distant Retrograde Orbit roughly 12–24 million km from Earth.
- The CubeSat will communicate directly with ESA ground stations via a new miniaturised deep-space transponder rather than relying on a parent spacecraft.
- On-orbit instruments are designed to confirm incoming solar storms with 3–6 hours of warning versus today’s 15–60 minutes, supporting plans for a future monitoring constellation.