Helsinki, Finland – September – ICEYE, the world leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite operations for Earth observation, persistent monitoring and natural disaster solutions, announced the signing of the contract for Axis 1.2 of the Greek National Satellite Space Project (radar program) for the Greek Space Agency and the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance, together with the European Space Agency.
Axis 1.2 covers the Greek SAR space segment and includes radar imagery and the development of a Greek observation system with two ICEYE SAR satellites and their launches.
In addition to the sovereign satellites, Greece will also have access to ICEYE’s existing SAR satellite constellation, the largest in the world, and will be able to start monitoring its areas of interest while developing its space capabilities.
Since 2018, ICEYE has launched 38 satellites for its own constellation and for use by its international customers. Delivery of ICEYE’s SAR imagery to the Greek government is due to begin immediately, providing quick access to monitor the relevant areas of interest.
After that, the satellites are scheduled for rapid delivery, made possible by ICEYE’s fast-track production capabilities and the launch schedule booked for the next few years. ICEYE is establishing a stronger presence in Greece to accelerate the growth of the space sector in the country, and the satellites will be assembled at a new company facility to be opened in Greece.
“ICEYE is proud to contribute to building the Greek government’s space program. ICEYE’s satellites and SAR data will enable them to monitor their areas of interest and improve their national observation capability for safety and security, including floods and forest fires, and maritime awareness capabilities.
The project also demonstrates ICEYE’s unique ability to provide a seamless set of SAR capabilities, encompassing data services and satellite supply. We look forward to collaborating with the Greek space sector and accelerating its growth,” said Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of CAA.
The Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, said: “We are excited to partner with ICEYE on this key project, which will enhance Greece’s capabilities in disaster management and national security.
The SAR satellites developed by ICEYE will provide us with unprecedented information, enabling faster response times and more effective management of natural disasters such as floods. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to harnessing cutting-edge space technologies for the safety and well-being of our citizens.”
Deputy Minister of Digital Governance Konstantinos Kyranakis said: “This agreement marks a significant step forward in Greece’s space program. By harnessing the power of SAR satellite data, we will greatly improve our ability to monitor and protect key areas of interest, both on land and at sea, under any light and weather conditions. We are confident that this partnership will not only strengthen our disaster response capabilities, but also boost innovation in the Greek space sector.”
The Secretary General of Telecommunications and Post, Prof. Konstantinos Karantzalos, said: “We have designed and are now implementing an ambitious satellite program that will significantly increase our upstream and downstream capabilities.
With the contract signed today between the ESA (European Space Agency) and the ICEYE-led consortium, we emphasize 24/7 dual-use remote sensing monitoring applications, including object detection and surveillance based on ultra-high resolution radar.”
“The award of the development of the Greek SAR Constellation to ICEYE is a testament to the Agency’s continued commitment to supporting the national initiatives of ESA Member States and demonstrates the Agency’s unique ability to maximize the cross-benefits of all these initiatives by providing a unified framework for the exchange of observations between and for the benefit of Member States.
The inclusion of ICEYE’s X-band SAR observation capability in Greece’s National Satellite Space Project is yet another powerful example of space technologies providing immediate and essential benefits here on Earth,” said the European Space Agency’s Director of Earth Observation Programs, Simonetta Cheli. Carried out under an ESA contract as part of the Greek National Satellite Space Project.
ICEYE offers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes anywhere on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before. Possessing the world’s largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring customers have unparalleled access to actionable data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions.
As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE provides intelligence in sectors such as insurance, natural disaster response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development.
ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK and the USA. The company has more than 700 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.
The views expressed in this document can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union/European Commission/European Space Agency/Greek Ministry of Digital Governance. The views and opinions expressed are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and the European Union/European Commission/European Space Agency/Greek Ministry of Digital Governance cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.