04/05/2026
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13 European satellites on the identical rideshare launcher have efficiently reached orbit, bringing capabilities to Italian and Greek monitoring programmes in addition to CubeSats that can check satellite tv for pc connectivity.
The European satellites are:
- Seven satellites have been added to the Hawk for Earth Statement (HEO) constellation for Italy’s IRIDE Earth remark programme.
- 4 Hellenic Hearth System satellites have been launched for Greece’s wildfire detection and monitoring system, marking a world first for any such nationwide satellite tv for pc functionality.
- Two CubeSats have been launched, additionally for Greece, for the Hellenic Area Daybreak mission. The CubeSats will check satellite tv for pc hyperlinks and optical knowledge transmission capabilities in area.
The launch passed off on Sunday, 3 Could, at 09:00 CEST on board a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket from the Vandenberg Area Power Base in California.
Simonetta Cheli, Director of ESA’s Earth Statement Programmes, stated, “The launch of seven extra satellites from IRIDE’s HEO constellation marks a brand new milestone for the whole programme and an growth of the system’s capabilities. I wish to thank the groups concerned on this achievement, together with the groups at ESA, ASI and Argotec.
“And the Hellenic Hearth System is a strong instance of what could be achieved via collaboration. By bringing collectively the Greek authorities, business and ESA, the Hellenic Hearth System reveals how European cooperation can flip innovation into operational functionality. It demonstrates the worth of partnership in growing sovereign area options that serve nationwide wants whereas advancing shared targets.”
Laurent Jaffart, Director of ESA’s Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity, stated: “ESA is dedicated to advancing Europe’s imaginative and prescient for next-generation connectivity, and the launch of Hellenic Area Daybreak confidently builds on these capabilities by showcasing modern optical communications. From strengthening nationwide ecosystems, to supporting pioneering New Area options, ESA is enabling resilient, high-performance satellite tv for pc networks by serving to our companions mature the applied sciences that can underpin our Member States’ autonomy and competitiveness in area. Congratulations to all concerned!”
IRIDE’s HEO constellation for Italy
IRIDE is a nationwide mission initiated by the Italian authorities. Coordinated by the European Area Company (ESA) with assist from the Italian Area Company (ASI), the programme is an formidable area initiative funded by Italy’s Nationwide Restoration and Resilience Plan (PNRR), which is designed to modernise and revitalise Italy’s financial system within the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The constellation carries multispectral, high-resolution optical devices, which seize picture knowledge throughout a number of wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. The info contribute to services that can assist public authorities monitor costal and maritime areas, land cowl and use, in addition to handle emergency and safety companies for Italy.
The seven newly launched HEO satellites have been developed by Argotec for the IRIDE programme. They carry the full variety of IRIDE satellites in orbit to 31 they usually be a part of HEO Pathfinder and the seven satellites launched in June 2025. The primary eight HEO satellites are absolutely operational and producing knowledge and pictures.
Hellenic Hearth System satellites launched for Greece
The mission is the results of cooperation between the Greek authorities, personal satellite tv for pc firm OroraTech and the European Area Company (ESA), supported via the EU-funded Restoration and Resilience Facility.
Following the launch of two ICEYE radar satellites launched on the finish of final 12 months, the Hellenic Hearth System, developed by OroraTech, is the second operational Earth remark mission developed underneath the Greek Nationwide Small Satellite tv for pc Programme. The programme will finally encompass 13 satellites organised into 4 teams primarily based on their devices and mission goals.
Funded by Greece via the EU Restoration and Resilience Facility, the programme is meant to broaden nationwide satellite tv for pc applied sciences and companies, assist innovation and financial progress, and strengthen capabilities in catastrophe response, environmental monitoring and nationwide safety.
The Hellenic Area Heart and the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance and Synthetic Intelligence oversee the programme, whereas ESA supplies the overarching framework and technical assist for growth of the satellite tv for pc methods.
Testing connectivity with two new CubeSats
Hellenic Area Daybreak is a part of an initiative supported by ESA and Greek nationwide authorities. It additionally types a part of the broader Greek Join/Nationwide Satellite tv for pc Area Programme.
Two newly launched CubeSats, Helios and Selene, that are managed by EMTech Area, carry CubeCAT laser terminals, offered by AAC Clyde Area. CubeCAT is compact, and extremely environment friendly, offering quick, safe knowledge hyperlinks between CubeSats, SmallSats, and Earth. The terminal permits as much as 1 Gbps downlink speeds.
Along with the terminal, Helios and Selene may also carry high-resolution cameras that can assist with purposes corresponding to cartography (making maps out of information from area) and land-use monitoring.
