By Theodore Lainas

 

Greece, despite the various difficulties of recent years both in the local and international economic environment, shows a remarkable activity in the space sector both at the research and production level.

 

One of the distinct projects of this activity is 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), satellite telecommunications and observing the earth with a hyperspectral camera.

 

As part of the ERMIS program, a cluster of three technologically advanced nanosatellites (CubeSats) will be built in Greece, with an emphasis on 5G/IoT telecommunications, inter-satellite link and hyperspectral remote sensing. The new technologies developed in Greece are 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 communications with laser and connection of the satellite with the optical space ground station in Helmos, as well as hyperspectral remote sensing with an accuracy of 5m for space applications of national interest, such as for example smart agriculture.

 

 

The ERMIS program is the first part of the National Microsatellite Program with a budget of 200 million Euros and is financed by the European recovery fund (RRF – EU Next Generation EU). The project with a budget of approximately 4.9 million Euros is coordinated by the newly established Department of Aerospace Science & Technology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (www.aerospace.uoa.gr) and OQ Hellas, the University of Patras, the University of the Aegean and the National Athens Observatory. The ERMIS space mission is overseen by the European Space Agency with the support of the Ministry of Digital Governance.

 

The “dual” telescope

 

A new telescope in Holomontas, a region in Chalkidiki province, is starting to build. The telescope will be in an ideal spot, away from city lights, with a free southern horizon, without high humidity and large temperature fluctuations, will monitor the "health" of the satellites in a short time. 

 

In collaboration with other laboratories in Greece and abroad, this telescope will simultaneously monitor, together with other telescopes, if everything is working properly on the satellites or if there is any damage that should be repaired.

 

The Astronomical Station of Holomontas, however, will also participate in another project related to optical communications through satellites, considered new at the European level and promoted with the help of the European Space Agency.

 

This network with the Holomontas station, includes all the country's telescopes within the framework of the European SkyLight Program of the European Space Agency, funded by the European Horizon framework. Its goal is to replace the radio signals sent by satellites today in all telecommunications with laser communication that has much greater capacity, accuracy and security.