PICARD is a satellite dedicated to the simultaneous measurement of the absolute total and spectral solar irradiance, the diameter and solar shape, and to the Sun's interior probing by the helioseismology method. These measurements obtained throughout the mission allow study of their variations as a function of solar activity. The mission, originally planned for two years, ended on 4 April 2014.

PICARD used the Myriade microsatellite platform, developed by CNES to use as much as possible common equipment. This platform was designed for a total mass of about 120 kg mass at launch. Its attitude in space is maintained by using a star sensor, solar sensors, a magnetometer, gyrometers, several magnetic rods and reaction wheels. If an orbit control and orbit manoeuvres are needed, a hydrazine system may be used. The on-board management is centralised, and uses a 10 MIPS microprocessor T805. A mass memory is available for the data storage. The telemetry and telecommand used the CCSDS standard.

PRISMA (Prototype Research Instruments and Space Mission technology Advancement) consists of two space vehicles, the Main spacecraft and a simpler Target craft that will meet in space. The Main spacecraft can manoeuvre while the role of the Target is just what is in its name.

The Main craft will weigh about 140 kg and the target about 40 kg. They were launched together as one unit and the Target craft separated after about two weeks in orbit when the technology demonstration commences.

The Swedish Space Corporation is the prime contractor for PRISMA. Major subcontractors in Sweden will be Saab Ericsson Space (electronics, structure, separation systems, cable harness), Omnisys Instruments (power system) and ECAPS (propulsion system).

The intended orbit is a sun-synchronous dawn/dusk orbit at about 600 km altitude. The PRISMA demonstration phase is intended to last about 8 months. Satellite control will be performed from SSC's Esrange ground station while mission planning and evaluation will be carried out from SSC's space engineering centre in Solna outside Stockholm. Operations will be highly automated and experimenters in various space organisations will monitor and control their equipment from their home bases via the Internet. Total program costs excluding the onboard equipment supplied by the partners from other countries than Sweden but including spacecraft development launch and operations is 20-23 million euros.