Greece has taken a decisive step in its space and technological path in recent days, with the launch of four thermal satellites under the National Microsatellite Programme. The first photos of the new Greek mission in space are presented by APE-MPA, which marks a development that not only concerns the technological progress of the country, but also the fundamental change in the way the State will manage crises, focusing on forest fires and the effects of the climate crisis.
The mission marks Greece’s transition from reliance on satellite data from third countries and organizations to a new era of national operational autonomy, with the ability to access critical information in near real-time. For the first time, the country is acquiring its own thermal “eyes” in space, capable of monitoring active fires, identifying new fire outbreaks and providing a continuous stream of data to the Civil Protection and Fire Service operations centers.
The thermal satellites are part of the broader $200 million National Space Program. The thermal satellites are part of the Ministry of Digital Governance’s €200 million National Space Programme, which is being implemented with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Hellenic Space Centre (ELKED). The main objective of the programme is to develop a full national capacity in Earth Observation services for civil protection and natural disaster management.
With the launch of the thermal satellites, Greece has for the first time an integrated national fire monitoring system, which allows for the early detection of fire outbreaks, the continuous monitoring of their evolution in near real time, as well as the accurate mapping of burnt areas and their effects. At the same time, it provides critical decision support for the operational response of the competent authorities.
The Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, speaking to APE-MPE, stressed that “with the use of thermal satellites, Greece is entering a new era in Civil Protection, where information does not come afterwards, but in almost real time.” As he stressed, “for the first time, we are acquiring a national capability for continuous monitoring of fires, essentially enhancing prevention, early detection and operational response.”
He noted that “the data generated is integrated directly into the country’s operational systems, giving frontline people better insight, faster decision making and more effective coordination,” adding that “this is a substantial upgrade in the way we manage crises.” He also pointed out that “the National Microdrone Program is not just about technology, it is about creating real capabilities for the country, with a direct impact on citizen security, environmental protection and economic resilience.”
With the launch of the first Greek thermal satellites, the country for the first time acquires the capability of continuous operational monitoring of fires with national means, substantially enhancing the capabilities of the Fire Service and Civil Protection at all stages of crisis management – from prevention and early detection to operational response and recovery. Thermal data allows the detection of thermal anomalies and new hotspots in near real-time, even in rugged areas or during the night, and supports the monitoring of frontal spread and the mapping of burnt areas with high accuracy.
The operational integration of satellite data with the country’s existing crisis management systems is particularly important. OroraTech, in collaboration with Greek agencies and companies, has already proceeded to integrate the wildfire solution platform and active fire data into the operational systems of the Hellenic Fire Brigade and in particular the ENGAGE command system, allowing the continuous flow of information to the Operational Crisis Management Coordination Centres (ESKEDIC). Through this interface, operations managers gain immediate access to active outbreak maps, risk assessments, thermal anomalies, spread forecasts and detailed geospatial data that support decision making in the field.
In parallel, data from thermal, SAR and optical satellites are being aggregated into the Governmental EO Hub, creating a single national geospatial information management and sharing environment. The hub provides analysis-ready data in near real-time, combining information from all Greek satellites and from European and international missions such as Copernicus and Landsat. Through a single and user-friendly platform, relevant agencies can have immediate access to critical information, analysis tools and automated alerts, significantly reducing the time to acquire and utilize information in emergency situations.
The added value of integrating the wildfire solution platform in parallel with Governmental EO Hub data is not limited to wildfire monitoring alone. The system enables the interconnection of thermal data with fuel mapping, forest vegetation data, meteorological information, SAR data and artificial intelligence tools, creating an integrated space-based operational intelligence environment for the country. In this way, operational actors gain capabilities for early warning, better resource allocation, risk prioritization and more effective coordination at the national level.
The capabilities of thermal satellites extend beyond fire management, covering a wide range of applications directly related to the environment, economy and quality of life. In the field of environment and climate change, they allow systematic monitoring of ground and sea temperatures, early detection of marine burns, as well as monitoring of sensitive ecosystems and protected areas.
In addition, they support the blue economy by providing critical data for the operation and sustainability of aquaculture farms and the continuous monitoring of marine conditions. In urban areas, they contribute to the analysis of phenomena such as heat islands and support the design of climate crisis adaptation policies. All these applications are part of a broader ecosystem of services covering critical sectors such as agriculture, forests, water resources, land management and security.
OroraTech, as the lead consortium for the thermal satellites, has already developed a substantial and multi-level presence in Greece, coordinating all the activities of the Greek consortium and actively contributing to both the space and ground-based parts of the system. In particular, it has installed an operational operations centre with full infrastructure and automation, implemented the interconnection and data integration protocols, and put in place satellite handling and operational procedures.
In parallel, it is developing innovative sensors and prototype models for temperature and environmental monitoring, leveraging satellite data and calibration infrastructure. In collaboration with Greek agencies, it has proceeded to integrate active fire data into the Fire Service’s operational system, and has already implemented end-user training and pilot operations.
In addition, it has contributed to the development of ground-based infrastructure, such as the fully operational ground-based data receiving station in Lavrio, and to the formulation of a long-term business and investment plan for scaling up services in Greece and internationally.
The launch of the first Greek thermal satellites, as the ministry’s leadership has emphatically stated, is not only a major technological success. It represents a strategic investment with a direct impact on civil protection, environmental monitoring and the country’s overall operational readiness, as immediate access to reliable data and their rapid operational exploitation are now key prerequisites for effective emergency response.
