Open Cosmos, a UK-based space technology provider, has secured a €60M contract from the European Space Agency (ESA) to build an Earth observation constellation for Greece. This project, Greece’s first flagship satellite endeavour, will consist of seven satellites designed to deliver daily high-resolution imagery. The data collected will be instrumental in combating sea pollution and enhancing agricultural efficiency.
Advancing Greece’s technological infrastructure
The constellation, part of the Hellenic Government’s procurement of advanced satellite technology, aims to provide significant economic and environmental benefits for Greece and Europe. The satellites will join Open Cosmos’s OpenConstellation, a mutualised constellation set to become the largest shared infrastructure in space.
The seven satellites will gather data using a multi-sensor instrument suite in low Earth orbit, including high-resolution optical multispectral and hyperspectral cameras, Internet of Things (IoT) and Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers, and onboard artificial intelligence to maximise efficiency. This programme will complement existing systems like the EU’s Copernicus and will be compatible with the Atlantic Constellation.
Government and industry support
Minister of Digital Governance, Mr Dimitris Papastergiou, highlighted the significance of this project: “Greece is making significant steps in space. By investing in both capacity-buying and capacity-building space programmes, our aim is to stimulate local high-tech space industries, foster job creation, retain our skilled engineers and space experts in the country and attract additional talent. The development of cutting-edge satellite technology will cultivate a sustainable economic framework that integrates advanced science and technology sectors, bolstering long-term economic resilience in the country.”
Commitment to sustainability and innovation
Open Cosmos, founded in 2015, aims to tackle global sustainability challenges by providing actionable information from space. The company’s vision includes the OpenConstellation, a shared infrastructure initiative designed to provide valuable data for disaster response and environmental monitoring. Greece’s participation in this global partnership will further strengthen these efforts.
Rafel Jorda Siquier, Founder and CEO of Open Cosmos, expressed his pride in securing the contract: “It is an honour to be chosen for such a crucial programme for Greece and I’m incredibly proud of the team’s achievement in securing this contract. We faced competition from some of the world’s leading players in the industry, and to win is a true testament to the hard work of everyone at Open Cosmos and the strength of our advanced satellite technology. Delivering this contract will position us at the forefront of satellite data providers, opening up further collaborations and growing the OpenConstellation.”
Establishing local manufacturing and expertise
The satellites will be built and operated by Open Cosmos Aegean, a new manufacturing centre in Greece. This facility will enhance sovereign capabilities in satellite technologies and attract further investment. It will oversee regional sales and support future European and international programmes.
Dr Maria Kalama, Director of Open Cosmos Aegean, stated: “We have created a vibrant ecosystem of suppliers and service providers around us, in every country we are present, and Greece will be no exception. We would like to thank all partners for their contribution to securing this contract, and in particular our main collaborators in Greece, Nova ICT, EMTECH-Space, the Libre Space Foundation, Planetek Hellas, Adamant Composites and Priority consultants.”
ESA’s continued support for national initiatives
Simonetta Cheli, Director of the Earth Observation programmes at ESA, commented on the collaboration: “The assignment of the development of the Greek Constellation to Open Cosmos is a proof of the Agency’s continuous commitment in supporting national initiatives from the ESA Member States, in close coordination with the national authorities and on compressed timescales. ESA has the unique ability to maximise the cross-benefit of all such initiatives by providing a unified framework for observations exchange among and for the benefit of Member States.”
Expanding global presence
This contract marks a significant milestone for Open Cosmos, known for its innovative solutions that lower barriers to space access. The company now operates four offices, including its headquarters at the Harwell Space Campus in the UK, and additional locations in Spain, France, and Greece. Open Cosmos has been delivering key missions for the UK, including building the UK pathfinder satellite for the Atlantic Constellation. The company is also building satellites in Portugal to monitor the Atlantic Coast.
Future outlook
Critical data gathered through satellite monitoring will be integrated into the DataCosmos platform, offering AI-powered data analysis from various satellite sources. This will lower costs and simplify access to Earth observation data. Open Cosmos continues to be dedicated to solving customer problems effectively and sustainably through space-derived insights.
About Open Cosmos
Open Cosmos is a leading space technology business headquartered in the UK, with facilities in Spain, Portugal, and Greece. Founded in 2015, Open Cosmos uses small satellites to simplify access to space, enabling organisations worldwide to benefit from satellite data to address their challenges. From monitoring agriculture to providing navigation solutions, Open Cosmos is committed to solving customer problems through innovative space technology.
