Greece Launches First National Satellite: DUTHSat-2 to Monitor Earth and Sea Pollution

In a groundbreaking achievement, Greece successfully launched its first satellite into space. The DUTHSat-2 was launched on Monday evening (June 23, 2025), as part of the National Microsatellite Program supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) from Vandenberg Base in the USA aboard a Falcon-9 rocket during SpaceX’s Transporter-14 mission. Designed and built by a scientific team at Democritus University of Thrace in collaboration with Greek companies, this satellite carries the Greek flag into space for the first time. According to a statement from the Ministry of Digital Governance, such projects within academic communities enhance institutional extroversion, create opportunities for young scientists, and significantly contribute to connecting research with societal and economic needs. Weighing only seven kilograms, DUTHSat-2 traveled for about an hour aboard the Falcon-9 alongside other satellites before being deployed into orbit at an altitude of 510 km above sea level. Within at least six months following successful communication and operational startup, DUTHSat-2 will conduct tests confirming new experimental Earth observation technologies (optical cameras) and secure connectivity systems. This initiative aims to strengthen national capabilities in Earth observation and secure space communications. DUTHSat-2 will provide images and measurements to deliver information regarding soil moisture and sea pollution, capable of detecting oil spills and waste water discharges from ships. Additionally, it will demonstrate a new basic telemetry and health unit during flight. The Essential TeleMetry and housekeeping (ETM) system acts as the ‘black box’ of the satellite, allowing operators insight into its condition in case of main subsystem failures. The mission aligns with a comprehensive national strategy utilizing space technologies to address natural disasters, environmental monitoring, and enhancing policy protection. The successful implementation of the DUTHSat-2 mission marks the beginning of a series of Greek microsatellite missions planned over the next period, further strengthening the country’s operational and technological capabilities. Two more cubesats from Greek partnerships are scheduled for launch by November. The National Microsatellite Program, implemented under the auspices of the Ministry of Digital Governance and funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund, represents a strategic investment in innovation, sovereignty, resilience, and technological autonomy for Greece. It incorporates human scientific resources, Greek universities, domestic industry, and establishes Greece’s position as an active member of European space policy. Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou stated, “We have our first Greek-flagged satellite in space as part of the National Microsatellite Program, marking the successful first launch for the most research-oriented CubeSat technology demonstration program. DUTHSat-2 exemplifies what can be achieved when the Greek scientific community effectively collaborates with industry. Led by Democritus University of Thrace and supported by ESA, this project highlights Greece’s talent, expertise, and dynamism in the space sector. Congratulations to all involved. This is just the beginning of Greece’s presence in space, enhancing our capabilities in critical areas such as policy protection, environmental monitoring, and secure communications while creating a domestic space ecosystem.