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uring an Open Door event at Open Cosmos Aegean, attended by the Minister of Digital Governance, Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou, other government representatives, industry stakeholders and the scientific community, the company showcased its capabilities, presented progress on the National Microsatellite Programme and outlined its strategy for continued expansion.
"The decision of the Ministry of Digital Governance to raise Greece’s participation in ESA R&D programmes to 66 million euros every three years strengthens our ability to join more advanced projects, enhances our country’s role in Europe’s space sector, and creates new opportunities for growth and highly skilled jobs. We are no longer talking about aspirations but about concrete projects delivered through a clear national strategy and supported by the Recovery and Resilience Facility.Leading companies such as Open Cosmos bring valuable know-how and innovation. Five satellites of the National Microsatellite Programme are already in orbit, providing critical data that is shared with the Ministry of National Defence. With consistency and strategic planning, we continue to deliver all projects on schedule, for the benefit of our ecosystem, society, and the country’s broader development." - Minister of Digital Governance, Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou.
Driving the National Microsatellite Programme: Greece builds cutting-edge space technology
Open Cosmos Aegean is implementing a critical part of the National Microsatellite Program, manufacturing 7 cutting-edge satellites (out of a total of 13 in the national program) in Greece, in state-of-the-art facilities in Pallini, which include 300 m² clean rooms and capabilities for comprehensive satellite design, assembly, integration, testing and operation.
Specifically, within the framework of the National Microsatellite Program, Open Cosmos has undertaken the construction, launch and operation of:
- Two very high-resolution satellites capable of sub-meter imaging for precision mapping
- Five high-resolution multispectral and hyperspectral satellites equipped with Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) imaging, Internet of Things (IoT) receivers and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS).
All seven satellites will carry Inter-Satellite Link and will be equipped with Machine Learning capabilities, allowing for near real-time transmission of information directly from space to Earth.
In addition, Open Cosmos Aegean has undertaken the construction and operation in Greece of a satellite ground station to provide telemetry, remote control and data transfer services for the entire constellation.
The satellites will provide valuable data, significantly enhancing Greece's capabilities in areas such as:
- The prevention and early response to wildfires and natural disasters
- Maritime and coastal surveillance, including anti-pollution measures
- Smarter, data-driven urban planning and infrastructure management
- Increased agricultural productivity and implementation of Common Agricultural Policy programs
Greece joins OpenConstellation – Europe’s most advanced collaborative satellite constellation
The seven satellites developed in Greece will join the OpenConstellation, the innovative international collaborative constellation of Open Cosmos that allows governments, research institutions and businesses to acquire sovereign capabilities in Earth observation at lower cost and greater data access.
By joining the Open Constellation, Greece joins a network that currently includes Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom - an initiative implemented for the first time at such a scale in Europe- and gains access to the entire constellation infrastructure, instead of being limited to its own satellites.
The OpenConstellation offers:
- reduced cost of access to satellite services,
- access to multiple data layers through Data Cosmos;
- more frequent data for critical applications,
- high degree of sovereignty between participating entities.
Open Cosmos in Greece and the world
During the event, Rafel Jordà Siquier, Founder and CEO of Open Cosmos, presented the company’s vision for an open, collaborative European space ecosystem and the strategic importance of Greek participation:
“We created Open Cosmos on the belief that space must be open, collaborative and useful. Greece has now become a pivotal part of this effort. With our facilities in Pallini, the Greek satellites we are manufacturing, and the country’s participation in the OpenConstellation, Europe gains a new centre for the development and application of space technology with a strong international outlook”.
Maria Kalama, Managing Director of Open Cosmos Aegean, spoke about the dynamic development of the Greek branch of Open Cosmos and the value of the know-how concentrated in the country:
“At Open Cosmos Aegean, we don’t just build satellites; we elevate Greece’s position in the space sector. The country now has the talent, the infrastructure and the vision to develop a complete space-technology value chain that will serve national needs, strengthen the economy and benefit future generations”.
Open Cosmos Aegean as a technological hub for Greece and Europe
During the event, guests had the opportunity to visit the facilities and laboratories of Open Cosmos Aegean, to learn about the design and testing processes as well as see the Greek satellites up close.
Open Cosmos confirmed its commitment to continue strengthening the Greek space ecosystem, to create new highly specialised and value-added jobs and to support the development of critical space applications that benefit the country, the national economy and society in many ways.
The return of talent to Greece - a new Greek center of excellence
Open Cosmos Aegean currently employs nearly 30 engineers and specialised professionals, many of whom returned to Greece after international careers, contributing to the creation of a new hub of space expertise in the country. Furthermore, the company employs foreign engineers and professionals who have chosen Open Cosmos and Greece as their base.
