"Greece's presence in space is now a reality" - Five Greek satellites launched as part of "National Small Satellite Program"

Five Greek satellites were launched on November 28, and are now in orbit around the Earth as part of the “National Micro-Satellite Program.” These are two operational micro-satellites built by the private satellite company ICEYE, as well as three experimental and research microsatellites for technological demonstration, which will test new space technologies developed in Greece with the aim of strengthening the domestic industry. After being integrated via Exolaunch into SpaceX’s Falcon 9 on the Transporter-15 rideshare, the satellites were launched on November 28 at 9:00 p.m. (GMT+2) from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This is a very important success that further strengthens the country’s position in the modern technological and space ecosystem.

More specifically, the Greek part of the mission consisted of:

• Two operational Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, named ICEYE SAR-1 and SAR-2, which will provide Earth observation data day and night, under any weather conditions. This data will support civil protection, environmental monitoring, and national security activities.

• Two experimental research microsatellites named PHASMA-1 and PHASMA-2 (LAMAR & DIRAC), developed by the Libre Space Foundation, with the aim of demonstrating secure satellite connectivity and spectrum monitoring technologies from space.

• An experimental research microsatellite developed by PRISMA Electronics called MICE-1, which will focus on applications for secure connectivity and the Internet of Things (IoT), with uses predominantly in shipping.

With these five satellites, Greece is strengthening its potential in Earth Observation and Secure Communications services. It should be noted that the micro-satellite constellation developed under the “National Micro-Satellite Program” will provide important data for policy planning and decision-making in critical areas such as mapping, navigation, precision agriculture, spatial planning, and disaster management.

It is worth noting that the “National Small Satellite Program,” implemented by the Ministry of Digital Governance with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA) and funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, is proceeding according to the initial plan.

Through the Micro-Satellite Program, Greece will gain full access to the existing commercial satellite networks of ICEYE, OroraTech, and Open Cosmos, ensuring more frequent and up-to-date data for the Greek territory.

Commenting on the launch, Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, stated: “Greece’s presence in space is now a reality. The launch of five Greek satellites is a pivotal development for the country and further proof that we are consistently implementing the ‘National Small Satellite Program’ by utilizing the resources of the Recovery Facility. This is not just a technological investment. It is an investment in the country’s future and its path to development, in strengthening the national space ecosystem, and in creating employment opportunities with strong prospects. For the first time, we are acquiring our own data from space and, with them, new possibilities for policy-making, product development, and decision-making in critical areas: from security and civil protection to environmental monitoring and sustainable development. Greece is establishing itself as a country that does not merely keep up with developments, but embraces them, shapes them, and transforms them into opportunities for all.”

Secretary General of Telecommunications & Post at the Ministry of Digital Governance, Konstantinos Karantzalos, said that the successful launch was the result of conscious investment in Greek human resources, domestic technological capabilities, and Greek industry, adding: “With the participation of universities, research institutions, and Greek companies, we are strengthening our national technological base and creating the conditions for true autonomy in the development of space infrastructure and applications. The National Space Program lays the foundations for a new era and new cutting-edge programs, where Greece will not be a mere user, but a producer and exporter of expertise in the field of aerospace.”

ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programs, Simonetta Cheli, said: “The selection of ICEYE to develop the synthetic aperture radar satellites for Greece underlines ESA’s ongoing commitment to supporting national space initiatives from its Member States. The inclusion of ICEYE’s X-band synthetic aperture radar capability in the Greek ‘National Small Satellite Program’ is a compelling example of how space technologies translate into tangible and vital benefits on Earth.”

CEO of ICEYE, Rafal Modrzewski, said: “This launch marks another important step both in supporting our customers in deploying their own constellations and scaling the world’s most advanced commercial SAR constellation. As global interest in space-based intelligence accelerates, ICEYE stands ready to help countries build sovereign satellite missions – turning high-quality satellite imaging into actionable intelligence for security and resilience.”

“At ICEYE Hellas, we are very proud to have contributed significantly to Greece’s first crucial step towards autonomy in space. The launch of the first operational satellites under the Greek flag is just the beginning for the many more that we will build in Greece as part of our long-term investment plan for the country,” added the Head of ICEYE Greece, Vasilis Chaloulakos.

“With Phasma, the Libre Space Foundation’s seventh mission to space, we are pioneering the critical field of spectrum monitoring. The mission was developed on open-source principles, confirming that collaborative innovation delivers high-tech solutions. We are proud to continuously strengthen Greece’s position in the new space age by promoting research and the democratization of knowledge,” emphasized the Libre Space Foundation.

CEO of Prisma Electronics, Christos Giordamlis, stated: “The launch of MICE-1 is a moment of utmost importance and a significant proof of the capabilities of Prisma Electronics, which developed and constructed the nanosatellite in Alexandroupolis. With MICE-1, we are proving that Greek industry can produce cutting-edge technology and compete on equal terms in the international space and business arena.”

Source: Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance; Photos/video: SpaceX

TAGS: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS | INNOVATION