Greece has successfully launched its first domestic satellite, DUTHSat-2, into orbit, marking a key milestone in the country's growing space ambitions, Greek media outlet To Vima reported on Wednesday.
The seven-kilogram satellite, developed by Democritus University of Thrace in collaboration with local technology firms, was launched from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during the Transporter-14 mission at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The DUTHSat-2 satellite, which is part of the Greek National Microsatellite Programme, is designed to support environmental monitoring, disaster response and civil protection. It is equipped with sensors capable of detecting marine pollution and soil moisture and includes an on-board telemetry system that functions as a "space black box".
"This is the first Greek-flagged satellite in space - a symbol of what our scientific community and industry can achieve," said the Minister for Digital Government Dimitris Papastergiou.
The satellite will also serve as a test platform for new space technologies over the next six months. Two more Greek CubeSats are scheduled for launch later this year.
In early 2025, Greece was named one of two host countries for the European Union's secure satellite communications initiative, GOVSATCOM.
Xinhua/gnews.cz - GH
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