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.
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.
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.
Since late 2022, the Center has participated in or coordinated a variety of programs.
Since late 2022, through funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility of ECOFIN with a budget of â¬3,276,000, the sub-program "Earth Observation Satellite Mission Programming Service" 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 â¬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.
In collaboration with the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) of the School of Electrical Engineers and Computer Engineers of the National Technical University of Athens, a study is being carried out for the design, implementation and viability of a system of small Earth observation satellites, with a budget of â¬60,000,000, funded by the "Greece 2.0 National Recovery and Resilience Plan". Since September 2023, following a decision of the General Secretary for Telecommunications and Post, the National Microsatellite Program was redesigned under the supervision of the Ministry of Digital Governance. The main objective of the program is to cover the needs of the Greek Public Sector in Earth observation, through thermal imaging and SAR.
The Greek Cubesat Program, with the official English title "Greek Cubesats In-Orbit Validation Projects", concerns the implementation of approved and funded proposals for placing 13 cubesats into orbit, with the main objective of certifying new technologies of Greek design, with the future goal of launching operational Greek cubesats into Low Earth orbit. The program involves organizations and companies funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Since June 2023, seven cubesat missions have been identified, developed by small and medium-sized enterprises and universities in Greece, with support from ESA through grants from the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRF).
The agreement for the construction and launch of the cubesat constellation was signed on 2 July 2024 between the European Space Agency and the company Open Cosmos, in the presence of the Minister and Deputy Minister of Digital Governance and the General Secretary for Telecommunications and Post.
According to the Ministry of Digital Governance:
These missions are scheduled to be launched in the 4th quarter (OctoberâÂÂDecember) of 2025 according to ESA, while the Ministry of Digital Governance referred to launches "within 2026".
The seven missions will serve the fields of Earth Observation, communications security and maritime monitoring.
The Hellenic Space Center is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 9 members:
The Board supervises the execution of strategic programs, approves budgets, and oversees collaborations with the European Space Agency and other international organizations.
The organization of ELKED is structured as follows:
Directorate of Administrative and Financial Support
Directorate of Research and Technological Development
The Board of Directors (B.D.) is the governing body of the Center with a five-year term and consists of seven members. It is responsible for managing the property, administration, and representation as well as other activities of ELKED. It meets at least 12 times per year.