The countdown has begun for the launch of the first of seven microsatellites being built by Open Cosmos Aegean, marking a key milestone in Greece’s efforts to establish a domestic space technology manufacturing base with an export-oriented focus and strong participation from local companies.
In an interview with Naftemporiki, Maria Kalama, chief executive of Open Cosmos Aegean, said the company’s investment in Pallini extends beyond the implementation of Greece’s national microsatellite programme and has already become part of the group’s international manufacturing operations.
Kalama said Greece’s next national space technology programme should place greater emphasis on the operational use of space infrastructure, with ministries, regional authorities, civil protection agencies, agricultural bodies and environmental organisations involved. She also highlighted the importance of dual-use applications that could strengthen national security and defence capabilities.
She added that future programmes should cover not only the development and launch of satellites but also their operation, maintenance, renewal and the continuous provision of services, ensuring that the initial investment continues to generate value for the country, the economy and society.
According to Kalama, Open Cosmos Aegean is already participating in international missions undertaken by the group, while local content in the part of the programme implemented by the company exceeds 70%, well above the minimum requirement of 30%.
The company is now moving toward the launch phase of the Greek satellites being manufactured at its facilities in Pallini, which will form the Hyperion GR constellation. The first satellite, a 100-kilogram spacecraft equipped with 90-centimetre-resolution panchromatic imaging capabilities, onboard artificial intelligence and inter-satellite communications links, is scheduled to be launched by SpaceX on Tuesday, weather permitting.
A ground station supporting the programme has already been installed and delivered.
Open Cosmos Aegean, the Greek subsidiary of the UK-based Open Cosmos, is responsible for the development, manufacture, launch and operation of seven of the 13 microsatellites included in Greece’s National Microsatellite Programme, as well as the installation and operation of a ground station in Greece.
The project is being implemented by Greece’s Ministry of Digital Governance in cooperation with the European Space Agency, with support from the Hellenic Space Center and funding from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Asked about the programme’s benefits, Kalama said the most important outcome is that Greece will gain its own permanent Earth-observation capabilities and direct access to critical data that until now had to be purchased or obtained from third parties.
“This means faster access to information, more frequent coverage, greater control over priorities and stronger operational resilience during periods of crisis,” she said.
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