Two high-resolution synthetic aperture radar satellites reached orbit on November 28, 2025, aboard the SpaceX Transporter-15 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The launch marks the first operational deployment of earth observation satellites under Greece's National Small Satellite Programme, a €130 million initiative funded through the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility.
The satellites, developed by Finnish company ICEYE and integrated through Exolaunch, represent a strategic advancement in Greece's space infrastructure. Each satellite weighs approximately 120 kilograms and operates using X-band synthetic aperture radar technology to deliver day-and-night high-resolution imagery with resolution capabilities reaching 25 centimeters.
This all-weather imaging capacity enables continuous monitoring regardless of lighting conditions or meteorological obstacles—a critical advantage for surveillance and disaster response operations.
Greece's collaboration with ICEYE extends beyond the two newly deployed satellites. Under the partnership agreement, Greece gains operational access to ICEYE's existing constellation, the world's largest synthetic aperture radar satellite fleet.
This arrangement enables immediate data access while the country's own capabilities mature, creating a hybrid model that balances rapid operational deployment with long-term technological independence.
The satellites will strengthen national capacity across multiple critical domains. Disaster management represents a primary application, with the systems providing accelerated response capabilities for natural emergencies including floods, wildfires, and landslides.
Environmental monitoring activities will benefit from consistent data collection over land and maritime territories. National security functions will gain improved surveillance capabilities for areas of strategic interest.
The National Small Satellite Programme encompasses a broader constellation strategy extending well beyond these initial radar deployments. The complete constellation envisions 13 satellites categorized across four distinct instrument types. Following the radar satellites' success, eleven additional operational earth observation platforms are scheduled for deployment in 2026.
OroraTech will contribute four thermal-infrared satellites designed to detect heat signatures and monitor wildfire activity with particular emphasis on nighttime surveillance capabilities. Open Cosmos will provide seven high-resolution optical satellites supporting environmental monitoring, agricultural applications, and urban planning initiatives.
The project structure reflects collaborative approaches to space capability development. While Greece finances and manages the program independently, the European Space Agency provides technical framework support and ensures alignment with unified Earth observation data exchange systems among member states.
This arrangement allows national initiatives to contribute to and benefit from collective European space infrastructure.
Greek Minister of Digital Governance and AI Dimitrios Papastergiou characterized the launch as advancing the nation's monitoring and protection capabilities across terrestrial and maritime zones.
The programme simultaneously targets economic development objectives, promoting domestic job creation within the space sector and fostering innovation within the Greek technology industry. By maintaining development and manufacturing activities within Greece, the initiative strengthens the national supply chain for advanced space systems.
The technical specifications of the ICEYE satellites demonstrate current capabilities in synthetic aperture radar technology. Multiple observation modes enable flexible data collection supporting diverse analytical requirements, from tactical surveillance to environmental assessment.
The satellites' capacity to penetrate cloud cover, operate in darkness, and maintain consistent performance across seasonal variations positions them as reliable infrastructure for long-term monitoring commitments.
The rideshare mission carrying the Greek satellites also transported European Space Agency HydroGNSS Scout satellites and Italy's next batch of IRIDE satellites, illustrating current industry practices for efficient space transportation.
This approach optimizes launch vehicle utilization while enabling multiple nations to advance independent space initiatives concurrently.
