Greece Launches High-Resolution Radar Satellites
On November 28, 2025, Greece successfully launched two high-resolution radar satellites, marking a significant advancement in its satellite technology. This initiative was made possible through the EU-funded Recovery and Resilience Facility, in collaboration with the private satellite company ICEYE and the European Space Agency (ESA).
Details of the Launch
The satellites were launched aboard the SpaceX Transporter-15 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This mission also included the deployment of two ESA HydroGNSS Scout satellites and additional IRIDE satellites from Italy.
Significance of the Satellites
- These ICEYE synthetic aperture radar satellites will enhance Greece’s disaster management capabilities.
- They will improve environmental monitoring and bolster national security.
- Each satellite weighs approximately 120 kg and offers high-resolution imaging, achieving a resolution of up to 25 cm.
These satellites represent the first operational Earth observation units under the Greek National Small Satellite Programme. This ambitious program aims to create a constellation of 13 satellites divided into four categories based on their measurement tools.
Objectives of the Initiative
Funded by the Greek government and the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, the programme seeks to:
- Advance Greece’s satellite technology.
- Promote job creation and stimulate economic growth.
- Strengthen capabilities for managing natural disasters.
- Enhance continuous environmental monitoring.
Role of ESA and Future Plans
The Hellenic Space Center and the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance are overseeing this project, with ESA providing an essential framework to support ICEYE’s satellite development. This collaboration ensures that Greece’s national initiatives are part of a larger system for Earth observation data exchange among European nations.
Minister of Digital Governance and AI, Dimitrios Papastergiou, emphasized that the launch signifies a leap forward for Greece in monitoring critical areas both on land and at sea, significantly bolstering the country’s disaster response capabilities.
Looking ahead, Greece plans to launch an additional eleven operational satellites next year under the same programme. This expansion will include four thermal-infrared satellites designed by OroraTech to monitor thermal activity and wildfires, alongside seven high-resolution optical satellites from Open Cosmos aimed at aiding environmental monitoring, agriculture, and urban planning.
Conclusion
The introduction of these advanced radar satellites not only enhances Greece’s monitoring capabilities but also marks a pivotal moment in the country’s space sector innovation.
