The three ERMIS nanosatellites “Made in Greece,” built at the Department of Aerospace Science of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, were launched into space and placed into a 500 km orbit.

The three nanosatellites, ERMIS 1, 2, and 3, were launched today at midday (13:45) by SpaceX using a Falcon 9 rocket.

The ERMIS program – [ERMIS Hellenic Cubesat Demonstration Mission] – aims to validate new, innovative space technologies and applications, such as 5G communications for the Internet of Things (IoT), laser-based satellite telecommunications, and Earth observation using a hyperspectral camera.

Ready for launch into space, at an orbit of 500 km, are the 3 ERMIS ‘Made in Greece’ nanosatellites built at the Aerospace Department of the ECPA. The 3 ERMIS 1, 2, and 3 nano-satellites will be launched on March 30,13:20 by SpaceX on the Falcon-9 rocket. The launch will be broadcast live here.

The ERMIS program – [ERMIS Hellenic Cubesat Demonstration Mission] aims to certify new, innovative space technologies and applications, such as 5G communications for the Internet of Things (IoT), laser satellite communications, and hyperspectral camera Earth observation.

Ermis mission video:

The ERMIS project is the first part of the €200 million National Microdigger Programme, funded by the European Recovery Fund (RRF – EU Next Generation EU). The project, with a budget of around €4.9 million, is funded by the European Recovery Fund (RRF – EU Next Generation EU). Euro is coordinated by the newly established Department of Aerospace Science & Technology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (www.aerospace.uoa.gr) and the project involves OQ Hellas, the University of Patras, the University of the Aegean and the National Observatory of Athens. The ERMIS space mission is overseen by the European Space Agency with the support of the Ministry of Digital Governance.

Brief information about the ERMIS space mission: In the framework of the ERMIS programme, three technologically advanced nanosatellites (CubeSats) were built in Greece, with emphasis on 5G/IoT telecommunications, inter-satellite link and hyperspectral remote sensing, and new technologies developed in Greece will be certified for the first time, such as: IoT/5G communications, inter-satellite links, in-orbit image data processing using hardware accelerators for hyperspectral image compression algorithms and optical channel coding according to CCSDS space standards, automatic control algorithms for observation and control of the exact position of the satellite, optical laser communications and linking the satellite to the optical ground station on Helmos, as well as hyperspectral remote sensing with a precision of 5 m for space applications of national interest, such as smart agriculture.