ICSEO originated from of the development of CAMCAO, an infrared camera for demonstrating the feasibility of multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO) systems. The camera was totally developed in Portugal under the coordination of what became ICSEO. It was part of a larger European collaboration for developing the first MCAO system for the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT).

ICSEO expertise in instrumentation (mechanics, vacuum, cryogenics, optics, electronics) is now deployed in two major projects: the GRAVITY acquisition camera for the VLTI and the space project MAGDRIVE. ICSEO is also developing the opto-mechanics that will deliver the light of the 4 VLT telescopes to the ESPRESSO spectrograph.

Our expertise in data analysis and the in-house computing infrastructure created the momentum for joining the Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC) for the ESA Gaia mission. We also undertake signal processing activities related to image reconstruction in optical interferometry and PSF estimation in adaptive optics systems.

In astrophysics our focus is on Galactic astrophysics, namely on star and planet formation, stellar clusters, stellar variability and on the structure and evolution of the Milky Way.

We conduct interface research between climate and space. Highlights include participation in the CLOUD experiment and EARTHSHINE project as well as the development of sophisticated visualization tools.