Hyperion GR-1 enters orbit: A new step for Greece's space programme

With the successful launch of Hyperion GR-1, Greece has taken another step in developing its national space infrastructure. The first Greek optical microsatellite of the National Microsatellite Programme was placed into orbit around the Earth on Tuesday 7 July, following a launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on a SpaceX rocket.

Hyperion GR-1 marks the start of the deployment of a constellation of seven optical microsatellites, which are being built in Greece by Open Cosmos Aegean.

The programme aims to create a modern satellite observation system to support critical public-sector operations, ranging from civil protection and environmental monitoring to maritime surveillance, precision agriculture and the safeguarding of critical infrastructure.

The microsatellite can capture high-resolution multispectral images with a ground sampling distance of up to 90 centimetres, enabling the monitoring of changes in natural and urban environments.

At the same time, it is equipped with onboard data-processing capabilities using artificial intelligence (AI), as well as inter-satellite links to speed up the processing and transmission of information to ground stations.

The information collected by Hyperion GR-1 will be used via the Government Geospatial Observation Hub, which is designed to serve as the central digital platform for the aggregation and management of satellite data for public administration.

According to the plans of the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, the satellite’s data will be used for the early detection of wildfires and floods, the assessment of the impact of natural disasters, the protection of forest and water resources, as well as for applications in precision agriculture and aquaculture.

In addition, they are expected to be deployed in maritime surveillance, in monitoring shipping and in identifying incidents of marine pollution.

The range of applications also extends to urban planning, the monitoring of major engineering projects and the inspection of critical infrastructure, with the aim of improving decision-making through up-to-date geospatial data.

Hyperion GR-1 is the first of seven microsatellites in the National Microsatellite Programme, which is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility “Greece 2.0”.

The programme is being implemented by the General Secretariat for Telecommunications and Post, with the support of the Hellenic Space Centre (ELKED) and the European Space Agency (ESA).

The same mission also carried the Posedònia satellite, which was built by Open Cosmos at its facilities in Spain.

With the addition of Hyperion GR-1, Greece now has a total of 18 microsatellites in orbit, according to the ministry, as part of its strategy to develop national space infrastructure.

The ministry also highlights the involvement of Greek industry in the development of the new microsatellite. Greek companies and engineers took part in the construction of Hyperion GR-1, helping to strengthen domestic know-how and create prospects for the development of exportable space technologies and services.

At the same time, the government has already set out its next plans for the space sector through the HELLAS-SPACE 2.0 programme, with a total budget of 350 million euros, which aims to further expand the country’s capabilities in space applications.

The Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, Dimitris Papastergiou, described the launch as “a new era for the country”, stressing the benefits expected from the use of satellite data.

“The launch of Hyperion GR-1 marks a new era for our country. We are acquiring another powerful tool that will allow us to harness satellite data for the benefit of citizens: to protect our forests and marine areas, to support precision agriculture, to map development both within and outside approved planning zones, and to take faster decisions in times of crisis,” the minister said.

He added that today’s launch is part of a broader national strategy, recalling the recent presentation of the HELLAS-SPACE 2.0 programme, with a budget of 350 million euros, which is the continuation of the National Microsatellite Programme.

“Our goal is for technology to make the state more effective, the country more resilient and citizens’ daily lives better,” he concluded.