The Hellenic Space Center (HSC) is a public benefit organization operating as a Legal Entity under Private Law of a non-profit nature. It belongs to the General Government Sector and the broader Public Sector. It is responsible for shaping and implementing Greece's space policy, promoting the Greek space industry, while also managing national projects related to space technologies. It is headquartered in Athens, operates under the Ministry of Digital Governance and is supervised by the Minister of that ministry. It replaced the Hellenic Space Agency, with the transfer of all ELDO projects and programs to the newly established HSC. In 2025, Dr. Emmanouil Rammos was appointed President of HSC, replacing Professor of Space Physics at the University of Athens, Ioannis Daglis.
Mission and activities The purpose of HSC is the planning and coordination of the national space strategy, through the formulation of strategic proposals that define objectives and areas of cooperation between the Public Sector, the Private Sector, as well as the academic and research community. HSC manages national space programs and projects related to scientific research, technology, telecommunications, agriculture, transport, e-government, and trade, among others. Particular emphasis is placed on remote sensing and the analysis of satellite data, with applications in environmental, agricultural and economic sectors. At the same time, the Center promotes the use of space technologies and services, strengthening cooperation with European and international bodies. It also contributes to the experimental or commercial exploitation of space infrastructures and public rights, through the management of satellite services, resources and assets, as well as supporting the design of satellites, satellite systems and related equipment. The Center acts as coordinator and representative of Greece in European and international space organizations and initiatives, aiming to maximize the return of the country's participation in space programs. In addition, it provides advisory support to the state on issues of space policy, management of public rights and obligations in space, as well as the registration and evaluation of space objects. Through its overall activity, HSC strengthens the development of the space sector in Greece, promotes the effective utilization of space technologies and supports the development of the Greek space industry.
International collaboration HSC collaborates with public and private bodies, as well as European and international space organizations, for the development and implementation of space programs. It collaborates with the Ministry of National Defence in cases where space programs have a national security dimension, maintaining the Ministry's operational autonomy in relevant decisions. In this context, on 26 July 2024, the Ministry of Digital Governance issued a Request For Information (RFI) for the development and operation of an integrated Telecommunications Satellite System (MILSATCOM), primarily aimed at covering the needs of the Ministry of National Defence. It also participates in initiatives of the European Space Agency, promoting Greece's participation in international space programs. According to the Center, systematic contacts are maintained with the Space Agencies of Japan, Italy, France, Argentina, Israel, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. In 2022, HSC coordinated and organized locally, in cooperation with other bodies, the 44th Scientific Assembly of COSPAR 2022. This is an international scientific conference that took place in Athens at the Athens International Conference Centre between 16 and 22 July 2022. On 3 October 2023, during the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between HSC and the Italian Space Agency, while on 19 December 2023 a corresponding agreement was signed with the Spanish Space Agency. Preparatory actions had also been carried out for the signing of similar memoranda with the Space Agencies of Armenia and Egypt. On 28 November 2024, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed with the Egyptian Space Agency in Cairo. On 16 October 2024, HSC and the Australian research center "SmartSat CRC" signed a Memorandum of Cooperation during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan.
Programs Since late 2022, the Center has participated in or coordinated a variety of programs.
Earth Observation Satellite Mission Planning and Control Center - Tasking Team Since late 2022, through funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility of ECOFIN with a budget of €3,276,000, the sub-program "Earth Observation Satellite Mission Planning and Control Center - Tasking Team" is being implemented by HSC. It includes 4 subprojects with the main objective of providing access for the Public Sector to satellite Earth observation data through the development of a Geoinformation System based on cloud computing technologies. Thus, needs related to cadastre are covered, as well as needs for emergency situations such as natural disasters and border surveillance. On 23 October 2023, HSC announced a call for tenders within the framework of the above program. The project, with a budget of €434,000, has a duration of 2 years. It is divided into 6 implementation phases and its primary objective is the automation and centralization of procedures for the distribution of geospatial satellite data to public services of the Integrated Geoinformation System, as well as the ability to store and manage them.
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