Key facts
- Greece's first optical microsatellite, Hyperion GR-1, has been launched into orbit.
- The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on a SpaceX rocket.
- Hyperion GR-1 is the initial satellite in a planned constellation of seven optical microsatellites.
- The microsatellite is designed for high-resolution multispectral imaging and onboard AI data processing.
- Its data will support public sector operations including civil protection, environmental monitoring, and maritime surveillance.
- The project is part of Greece's National Microsatellite Programme, financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility “Greece 2.0”.
Greece has successfully launched its first optical microsatellite, Hyperion GR-1, into Earth orbit. The launch, conducted from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX rocket, marks a significant advancement for Greece's national space infrastructure and programme.
Hyperion GR-1 is the first of a planned constellation of seven optical microsatellites being constructed by Open Cosmos Aegean. This initiative aims to establish a modern satellite observation system to bolster critical public-sector functions, including civil protection, environmental monitoring, maritime surveillance, precision agriculture, and the security of vital infrastructure.
The microsatellite is capable of capturing high-resolution multispectral imagery with a ground sampling distance of up to 90 centimeters, facilitating the tracking of changes in natural and urban landscapes. It also features integrated data processing capabilities powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and inter-satellite links to expedite data transmission to ground stations.
Data acquired by Hyperion GR-1 will be accessible through the Government Geospatial Observation Hub, serving as a central platform for managing satellite data for public administration. The Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence intends to utilize this data for early detection of wildfires and floods, assessing natural disaster impacts, and protecting natural resources, alongside applications in precision agriculture and aquaculture, maritime surveillance, and pollution monitoring.
The National Microsatellite Programme, which includes Hyperion GR-1, is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility “Greece 2.0”. The General Secretariat for Telecommunications and Post is implementing the programme, with support from the Hellenic Space Centre (ELKED) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Greek companies and engineers were involved in the satellite's construction, contributing to domestic expertise and the potential for exportable space technologies.
Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, Dimitris Papastergiou, hailed the launch as the beginning of 'a new era for the country,' emphasizing the benefits of satellite data for citizen protection and decision-making during crises. He noted that this launch is part of a broader national strategy, including the upcoming HELLAS-SPACE 2.0 programme with a 350 million euro budget, aimed at enhancing Greece's space capabilities.