Greece officially enters the space era with the launch of its first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, marking the beginning of a national constellation of 13 satellites that will provide near real-time data on extreme weather, natural disasters, and critical infrastructure.
SAR technology allows satellites to:
- Deliver high-resolution images in near real-time.
- Operate day and night, under any weather condition.
- Support environmental monitoring, flood and wildfire management, as well as defense and security operations.
According to Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou, “thanks to the Recovery Fund, Greece will soon own 13 satellites capable of seeing through clouds and assisting both in natural disaster management and in national security.”
ICEYE Hellas, based in Neo Psychiko, has already produced the first two Greek SAR satellites, expected to be in orbit by late 2025. By 2026, Greece will host a full satellite production line, capable of assembling 3–4 satellites simultaneously and delivering at least 8 per year, making it the second hub in Europe for complete SAR satellite manufacturing.
This leap forward offers Greece:
- Stronger environmental protection and monitoring.
- Early-warning systems for floods, fires, and other natural disasters.
- Enhanced defense readiness with access to high-resolution SAR data.
- Growth in innovation, research, and high-skilled job creation.
The launch of Greece’s first SAR satellite is not just a technological milestone – it is a strategic investment in resilience, security, and innovation, placing the country among the select few with independent satellite capabilities.
Source: pagenews.gr