In the facilities of the Institute of Technology and Research (ITE) in Crete, the ground station for Greece’s National Microsatellite Programme is being installed. This critical infrastructure will serve as the operational communication hub for Greece’s future constellation of microsatellites — enabling telemetry, remote command, and data downlink capabilities. As the terrestrial counterpart to the space-based segment, the station forms the backbone of two-way communication between Earth and the nation’s upcoming small satellites.
A Strategic Partnership and Investment
A lease agreement has been signed between the ITE and the General Secretariat for Telecommunications and Postal Services — part of the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence — to host the ground station and associated equipment at the institute’s premises. Operations are scheduled to begin on 1 November 2025. The project is a cornerstone of the National Microsatellite Programme, implemented in collaboration with the Hellenic Space Centre and the European Space Agency (ESA). With a total budget of €200 million, the programme is funded through Greece’s Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Why Crete?
The choice of Crete — and specifically the ITE — reflects deep-rooted scientific capacity. For years, the institute has advanced research in fields directly relevant to space technologies: satellite remote sensing, astrophysics, advanced telecommunications, quantum communications, and space situational awareness. In partnership with the University of Crete, the ITE also operates the Skinakas Observatory — one of Southeast Europe’s most important astrophysical research infrastructures. Ongoing upgrades to the observatory are expected to support emerging technologies for space surveillance and secure ground-to-orbit laser communications.
Implementation and Expertise
Construction of the ground station was led by a consortium headed by Open Cosmos Aegean, while installation was completed by the Greek non-profit Libre Space Foundation — a recognised contributor to open-source space technology development. Their involvement underscores Greece’s growing domestic expertise in end-to-end space systems.
From Data to Impact
For the Ministry of Digital Governance and AI, the ambition extends beyond hardware: it is about harnessing space-derived data for tangible public benefit. The National Microsatellite Programme aims to empower sectors including civil protection, climate change response, environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, maritime surveillance, and spatial planning. By anchoring the ground station at ITE, the initiative bridges national space policy with Greece’s academic and technological ecosystem — advancing the goal of a sovereign, innovative, and impactful national space economy.