Hellenic Space Industry Cooperation with the United Kingdom Space Agency and Airbus Defense & Space UK

The Hellenic Association of Space Industries (HASI) is pleased to announce the signing of cooperation agreements between Greek companies and Airbus Defense & Space UK in the context of the development and construction of the TRUTHS satellite (Traceable Radiometry Underpinning Terrestial - and Helio - Studies) by the European Space Agency (European Space Agency - ESA) and the UK Space Agency (UK Space Agency).

The TRUTHS satellite is part of ESA's Earth Watch program and is an initiative of five of ESA member countries, with the largest subscriber being the United Kingdom. In this program, the industry of our country now has a substantial participation in the development, certification and control of software and hardware (H/W), critical for the smooth operation of the satellite.

This success is a recognition of the maturity and potential of the domestic space industry and is expected to give impetus to the efforts made by the Greek Government for the equal participation of our country in the new European space strategy, as announced by Commissioner Thierry Breton on January 12th 2021 during the 13th European Space Conference on the Space Connectivity program worth 6 Billion €.

The launch of the TRUTHS satellite is expected to take place, according to the ESA timetable, before the end of the decade. It will contribute to the monitoring of the climate on our planet, contributing significantly to the measurement of key parameters affecting climate change, such as the solar energy that reaches and remains on Earth, as well as helping improve the data from other Earth Observation satellites.

HASI considers the cooperation with both the United Kingdom Space Agency and AIRBUS UK to be particularly important as it paves the way for future cooperation between the two countries in the fields of high technology and innovation in the field of space applications.

ΗΕ Ambassador Kate Smith CMG stated :“The TRUTHS satellite mission with Airbus leading the charge, will reduce the uncertainty in future climate projections while arming our scientists with the most reliable data and insight we have ever had access to. We are delighted that the UK and Greece are partnering in this important programme which strengthens cooperation between our two countries.”

Dr. Thanasis Potsis, President of the Hellenic Association of Space Industry stated: "The participation of at least five Greek companies in the design of the TRUTHS satellite mission proves not only the technological maturity of the local space industry but also the readiness of the local ecosystem to attract new investments and to become the reason for Greek scientists to return back to Greece supporting the policy of our country for a great innovative change. Cooperation with UK Space Agency and AIRBUS UK is of paramount importance to achieve the above targets.”