The arrival of the Kimon frigate in the Saronic Gulf was one of the first images captured by the Greek microsatellites. Credit: AMNA
Greece has officially established its own “eyes in space” following the successful activation of a five-satellite constellation launched late last November.
On Sunday, the Athens Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) unveiled the mission’s historic first images: a detailed view of the ports of Piraeus and Perama captured on December 13, 2025, and a high-resolution symbolic shot of the Hellenic Navy’s new Belharra frigate, Kimon, arriving in Greek waters this past Friday.
Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou hailed the milestone as a turning point for the nation. “The prospect of a Greek presence in space once seemed utopian; today, it is a reality,” he stated. “Just 45 days after launch, we have practical data in our hands that will provide immediate benefits to both the state and the citizen.”
The National Microsatellite Programme, operated under the Ministry of Digital Governance, consists of two operational units and three experimental-research microsatellites designed to test Greek-made space technologies. This “digital nervous system” is powered by a central hub in Athens, collaborating with the Hellenic Space Centre to provide a unified data platform for all public services.
Greece’s satellites impact all sectors
Civil Protection & Environment: Using optical, thermal, and radar sensors, the satellites provide 24/7 monitoring—even through cloud cover—to detect forest fires, track floods, and monitor NATURA protected areas.
Agriculture: The fleet offers a fair, transparent tool for verifying agricultural subsidies and provides farmers with critical data on soil moisture and irrigation needs.
Maritime & Defense: By mapping the Eastern Mediterranean, the satellites enhance border surveillance, migration management, and national security with high-standard cybersecurity.
Economic Innovation: By opening these high-value datasets to universities and startups, Greece is fostering a domestic space ecosystem capable of exporting AI-driven satellite solutions globally.
Through this infrastructure, Greece is no longer just a consumer of international satellite data but a sovereign provider, leveraging space technology to build a more resilient and sustainable future.