Hellas Sat, the number one satellite communications provider in Greece, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with French-based Thales Group to develop an optical communication payload for the upcoming new mission to be embarked on the future Hellas Sat 5 telecommunications satellite.
The agreement was finalized last Thursday (25/1) with the signing of the memorandum and will facilitate all communications between the satellite and Earth of Hellas Sat 5. The overall financial cost of the agreement amounts to several tens of millions of euros.
The partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), Thales, the National Observatory of Athens, the French space agency NCES, and with the support of the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation, aims to position Greece at the forefront of the space economy, while connectivity speeds in Greece are expected to surge by 1,000 times.
The launch of the Hellas Sat 5 satellite is anticipated to take place at the French Guiana launch center by the end of 2027. This initiative represents a significant step for Greece in advancing its presence and capabilities in the field of space exploration and technology.
Thales Group is a French multinational company that designs, develops and manufactures electrical systems as well as devices and equipment for the aerospace, defense, transportation and security sectors.
The partnership between Hellas Sat and Thales Space Group is geared towards providing cutting-edge communication services with very high data rates from geostationary orbit.
This innovative payload aims to connect with the Optical Ground Station of the National Athens Observatory in Greece, the Optical Ground Stations in France, the Optical Ground Stations of ESA and Thales Alenia Space’s LEO HydRON telecommunication satellite.
More specifically, there will be direct communication with observatories in Helmos (Kalavryta), Kryoneri Corinthias, the National Observatory of Athens, and also with an observatory in France. This investment is estimated to generate multiple benefits for the country, fostering the development of necessary infrastructure and contributing to the reversal of the brain drain by attracting specialized scientists from abroad.
The strategic communication capabilities of the satellite with renowned observatories not only enhance Greece’s position in space technology but also offer the potential for advancements in scientific research, technology development, and collaboration on a global scale.
