Greece acquires thermal microsatellites – How they will aid in tackling natural disasters

Greece is enhancing its ability to respond to natural disasters through space technology. As part of the “National Microsatellite Program,” the country will acquire a total of six thermal and radar (SAR) microsatellites, boosting its capability to manage natural disasters with advanced space technologies.

This significant program, funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0” and implemented in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), represents an investment of €53 million. These investments will make Greece stronger and more autonomous in space technology, especially in applications related to civil protection and crisis management.

The agreements for the construction and launch of the microsatellite cluster were signed on September 9 between ESA and the companies OroraTech and ICEYE at the Ministry of Digital Governance’s Pavilion at the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair. The signing was attended by the Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, Deputy Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis, and the Secretary General for Telecommunications and Posts, Konstantinos Karantzalos.

These projects are of strategic importance to Greece. The data collected by the microsatellites will enhance authorities’ ability to monitor land and sea environments, detect changes, and map natural disasters such as wildfires and floods, thus protecting lives, nature, and property. The satellites will provide real-time critical data, allowing authorities to make more targeted and effective decisions to strengthen Greece’s resilience to the climate crisis.

Minister Dimitris Papastergiou stated: “By signing these contracts, we are taking another step toward protecting the country from natural disasters, using the latest technologies. With resources from the Recovery Fund, we are investing in space and acquiring valuable tools that will provide real-time data. The microsatellites will offer immediate and accurate information at critical moments.”

Deputy Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis emphasized: “Our goal is to find practical solutions and applications that can enhance Greece’s operational capabilities. With today’s agreements, we are improving our capacity to map, observe, and organize based on the ‘eyes’ we will have in space, providing essential data for fire and civil protection services in the face of natural disasters.”

Secretary General Konstantinos Karantzalos added: “With today’s programs for the development of thermal and radar microsatellites, we are implementing a significant part of Greece’s Space Program. We are improving our ability to monitor land and sea environments day and night, while strengthening Greece’s role in European and global space technology.”

The CEOs of OroraTech and ICEYE expressed their commitment to equipping Greece with cutting-edge technology to detect, manage, and control natural disasters, with a particular focus on wildfires.

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