Greece has officially launched its first-ever national satellite, DUTHSat-2, marking a historic leap into the space age.
On Monday, June 23, 2025, the 7-kilogram CubeSat soared into orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in the USA, riding aboard a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket as part of the Transporter-14 mission. This monumental achievement was made possible with the vital support of the European Space Agency (ESA).
DUTHSat-2 satellite: Born in Greece
DUTHSat-2 was meticulously designed and built by a dedicated scientific team from the Democritus University of Thrace, working hand-in-hand with innovative Greek companies.
After an hour-long journey on the Falcon-9, DUTHSat-2 was precisely deployed into orbit at an altitude of 510 kilometers above sea level.
This initial success will be followed by a crucial phase of orbit stabilization and system activation. Within an estimated six months of establishing full communication, DUTHSat-2 will begin its operational mission, performing in-orbit validation of brand-new experimental Earth observation devices, including advanced optical cameras, and secure telecommunication systems.
Eyes in the sky
The primary goal of DUTHSat-2 is to significantly bolster Greece’s capabilities in vital areas like Earth observation and secure space communication. Specifically, the satellite will provide invaluable images and measurements to monitor:
- Soil moisture: Crucial for agriculture and understanding drought conditions.
- Marine pollution: Its specialized cameras and spectral recording frequencies are designed to detect environmental threats such as oil spills and pollution from ship ballast water discharge.
- Additionally, DUTHSat-2 will test a new “black box” equivalent for satellites – the Essential Telemetry and Housekeeping (ETM) unit. This innovative system will provide critical insights into the satellite’s health and operational status, even if the main subsystems fail, ensuring robust monitoring.
The DUTHSat-2 mission is part of Greece’s ambitious plan aiming to leverage space technologies to enhance the country’s ability to respond to natural disasters, monitor the environment, and strengthen civil protection efforts.
This mission is the first in a series of upcoming Greek microsatellite launches, with two more CubeSats, developed by consortia of Greek companies, already slated for launch in November.
This National Microsatellite Program, overseen by the Ministry of Digital Governance and funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund, represents a strategic investment in Greece’s innovation, national sovereignty, resilience, and technological independence.
“The First Greek Flag in Space!”
Dimitris Papastergiou, the Minister of Digital Governance, celebrated this landmark achievement: “We now have the first Greek ‘flag’ satellite in space! The successful launch of DUTHSat-2, as part of our National Microsatellite Program, is a testament to what can be achieved when the Greek scientific community collaborates effectively with industry.”
He extended congratulations to everyone involved, emphasizing, “This is just the beginning of the Greek presence in space. The National Microsatellite Program will strengthen our country’s capabilities in critical areas such as civil protection, environmental monitoring, and secure communication.
“By expanding our capabilities, we are also actively creating a thriving domestic space ecosystem, connecting our scientists, institutions, research centers, universities, and Greek companies with the latest international developments in technology and innovation.”
Greece has had orbital presence through Hellas Sat satellites (e.g., Hellas Sat 2, Hellas Sat 3, Hellas Sat 4). These are large telecommunications satellites that occupy Greece and Cyprus’s orbital position. While a Greek-Cypriot company, Hellas Sat, operates them and provides services, these satellites were manufactured by major international aerospace companies.