Five satellites were launched by Greece on Friday and are currently in orbit around Earth, as part of the National Microsatellite Program.
Two of the microsatellites are fully operational, manufactured by the ICEYE company, along with three experimental research microsatellites for demonstration, which will test new space technologies developed in Greece with the aim of strengthening the domestic industry. The satellites, after being integrated through the company Exolaunch into the Falcon 9/ Transporter-15 rocket of SpaceX, were launched on November 28th at 9pm local Greek time from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The two new high-resolution ICEYE radar satellites are the first to be launched under the Greek National Small Satellite Program. This program, which will also include other types of satellites next year, aims to enhance Greece’s satellite technology and application capabilities, foster innovation and job creation, drive economic growth, and strengthen national capacities in disaster management, environmental monitoring, and security.
The project is led by the Hellenic Space Center and the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance, with the European Space Agency (ESA) providing the overarching framework and supporting ICEYE in developing both satellites. For Greece this is a success, as it is part of a program to further strengthen the country’s position in the modern technological and space ecosystem.
The Greek mission
The Greek mission in the National Microsatellite Program included:
- Two operational Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, ICEYE SAR-1 and SAR-2, which will provide Earth observation data around the clock regardless of weather conditions. This data will support civil protection, environmental monitoring, and national security actions
- Two experimental, research microsatellites, PHASMA-1 and PHASMA-2 (LAMAR & DIRAC), developed by the Libre Space Foundation, with the aim of demonstrating secure satellite connectivity and spectrum surveillance technologies from space
- An experimental, research microsatellite developed by PRISMA Electronics, named MICE-1, which will focus on secure connectivity and Internet of Things (IoT) applications with applications mainly in shipping
With these five satellites, Greece is strengthening its capabilities in Earth observation services and secure communications. The microsatellite array is developed as part of the “National Microsatellite Program.” It will provide critical data for policy planning and decision-making in critical areas, such as mapping, navigation, precision agriculture, spatial planning, and response to natural disasters.
The “National Microsatellite Program” is being implemented by the Ministry of Digital Governance with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA), financed by the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund. Through the program, Greece will gain full access to the existing commercial satellite networks of the companies ICEYE, OroraTech, and Open Cosmos, ensuring more frequent and updated data for the region of Greece.
Greek presence in space now a reality—statements made upon launching of satellites
Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, stated during the launching of the satellites:
“Greece’s presence in Space is now a reality. Today’s launch of the five Greek satellites is a key development for the country and further proof that we are consistently implementing the National Microsatellite Program, utilizing the resources of the Recovery Fund. This is not just a technological investment. It is an investment in the future of the country and its development path, in strengthening the national space ecosystem, in creating jobs with expanded prospects.”
Secretary General of Telecommunications and Posts, Konstantinos Karantzalos, also made a statement, confirming:
“Today’s success is the result of a conscious investment in Greek human resources, domestic technological capabilities and Greek industry. With the participation of universities, research institutions and Greek businesses, we are strengthening our national technological base and creating the conditions for real autonomy in the development of space infrastructure and applications.”
ESA‘s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Simonetta Cheli, said:
“The selection of ICEYE to develop the synthetic aperture satellites for Greece underlines ESA’s continued commitment to supporting the national space initiatives of its Member States. The inclusion of the X-Band synthetic radar capability in Greece’s National Microsatellite Program is a representative example of how space technologies are translated into tangible and vital benefits for the Earth.”
“Today’s launch marks another important step in both supporting our customers in developing their own constellations and scaling the world’s most advanced commercial SAR constellation,” remarked ICEYE CEO Rafal Modrzewski. “As global interest in space-based intelligence accelerates, ICEYE is poised to help countries build dominant satellite missions, transforming high-quality satellite imagery into actionable information for security and resilience.”
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