Planetek Hellas awarded 11.5 Million Contracts from ESA for the Governmental HUB of the Greek Earth Observation Satellite Constellation.

Under the first contract, valued at €10 Millions, Planetek Hellas will deliver an Integrated End-to-End Governmental Hub capable of processing and disseminating data generated by the Earth Observation (EO) Satellites that Greece plans to deploy in orbit. This hub will serve as the central processing unit for all data collected, ensuring seamless distribution and accessibility for various governmental entities. The hub will integrate also five distinct service subsystems — Agriculture, Forest, Water, Safety & Security, and Land — assigned by ESA to different Prime contractors. These subsystems are designed to transform raw satellite data into actionable information, tailored to meet the specific needs of governmental users across multiple sectors.

Under the second contract, valued at €1.5 Millions, Planetek Hellas is honored to lead the Safety & Security of these five service subsystems, providing critical data analysis and insights to enhance national security and emergency response capabilities.

For the Govermental Hub, Planetek Hellas will have as subcontractors well know Greek companies, including Space Hellas SA, Neuropublic SA and Knowledge SA, while a number of other entities will support as external procurers. While, for the Safety & Security service subsystem Planetek Hellas will work together with the National Intelligence Agency (ΕΥΠ), the Center for Security Studies (KEMEA), the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), and the National Observatory of Athens (NOA).

Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, stated:

"About a year ago, we decided to redesign our focus on space, aiming to provide solutions on Earth and new horizons for our country. By signing today the final contracts for the National Micro-Satellite Program, we are taking a significant step toward strengthening Greece’s digital capabilities and shielding ourselves with innovative space technologies.

Through the governmental space hub, we ensure that all the valuable data provided by the micro-satellites will be transformed by public and private bodies into wealth, information, and modern policies in sectors such as environmental protection and spatial planning.

We are gaining critical services for the monitoring of agriculture, forests, water, land, and security. The added value here is that all this will be implemented by Greek companies. Beyond the autonomy we gain, we are creating job positions with development prospects.

After all, this is one of the priorities set by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. As you understand, the sky is not the limit — it's the beginning of doing great things."

Deputy Minister of Digital Governance, Konstantinos Kyranakis, stated:

"Today, with the signing of this contract, the Greek Space Tech ecosystem gains a tremendous opportunity — to prove that with Greek-owned micro-satellites launching in 2026, real-world problems on Earth can be solved.

Greek businesses and universities will also have the opportunity to collaborate, developing applications and solutions in fields such as security, shipping, land and forest management, and even agriculture.

It is extremely important that this program is not only fully funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund — meaning that Greek taxpayers won’t pay a single euro for the projects — but also that the entire budgeted expense returns 100% to the Greek economy.

This is because the project’s development and completion involve exclusively Greek companies, with Greek engineers, simultaneously opening up many high-paying job positions."

General Secretary of Telecommunications and Post, Konstantinos Karantzalos, emphasized:

"The projects we are signing today concern perhaps the most important part of the national program — that of utilizing satellite data for the development of services and serving the entire Greek public sector, as well as citizens.

Greek companies and engineers will develop technology that directly contributes to our country's digital transformation and improves quality of life — with solutions for better disaster management and emergency response, protection of public health and monitoring of air pollution, enhancement of agricultural production, and easier access to information about our environment, forests, and seas."

ESA Director of Earth Observation Programs, Simonetta Cheli, stated:

"Built on a strong partnership between the Greek government, industry, and ESA, the Greek National Satellite Space Program is an example of the power of collaboration, placing Greece as a key player in Earth observation.

Today’s six new contracts under Axis 3 mark a milestone in creating a comprehensive system for transforming satellite data into reliable, value-added information for environmental monitoring and security.

I would also like to emphasize that the development of this industrial capability and the future availability of operational services are vital — not only for Greece but for Europe as a whole."

Stelios Bollanos, Co-founder and Director of Planetek Hellas, mentioned:

"This collaboration between Planetek Hellas, ESA, and the Greek government signifies a major advancement in Earth observation capabilities, positioning Greece as a leader in the application of satellite EO data for governmental use. The Governmental Hub is expected to be a transformative initiative of the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance, driving innovation, enhancing national security and civil protection, and contributing to the sustainable management of Greece's natural resources and agriculture."

The official signing ceremony for these contracts between Planetek Hellas and ESA, took place in Athens, on November 14, 2024 in presence of the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance.

 

In the picture: Svein Lokas (ESA), Stelios Bollanos (Planetek Hellas), Dimitris Papastergiou (Minister of Digital Governance), Konstantinos Kyranakis (Deputy Minister of Digital Governance), Kostantinos Karatzalos (Sec. Gen. for Telecommunications and Posts of the Ministry of Digital Governance).