Satellite Launches from Thrace to Orbit

A Greek technology company based in the northeastern border region of Alexandroupoli has successfully launched the country’s first domestically designed and manufactured nanosatellite into orbit. Prisma Electronics, founded by the Giordamlis brothers in their hometown of Alexandroupoli, launched the MICE 1 nanosatellite on November 28 from Vandenberg base in California aboard a SpaceX rocket, according to company founder Christos Giordamlis.

The Greek nanosatellite is intended for maritime applications and use in challenging environments such as natural disaster response zones. The five-kilogram device was fully designed and manufactured at the company’s facility in Thrace, representing a significant milestone for Greece’s emerging space technology sector.

Greek Nanosatellite Emerges From Decades of Regional Challenges

Prisma Electronics has weathered numerous crises since its establishment in 1991, including devastating floods in 2007, the Greek economic crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration pressures, and major wildfires that threatened the industrial zone in 2023. The Alexandroupoli area has seen its productive businesses decline from 400 to just 150 over recent years, Giordamlis told Kathimerini.

The company survived by maintaining flexibility and pivoting between sectors when market conditions shifted. Starting with computer assembly and components, Prisma Electronics moved into industrial automation, telecommunications systems, and Internet of Things technology when Chinese competitors dominated the computer market.

Strategic Partnerships Drive Space Technology Development

The company’s path to launching its Greek nanosatellite began through collaborations with Democritus University and participation in European space missions over the past decade. Prisma Electronics manufactured electronic components for major projects including satellites orbiting the sun and systems for Airbus and Naval Group’s Belharra frigates.

However, the breakthrough came in 2022 when the Greek government committed to developing its space capabilities. Prisma Electronics submitted a proposal that received funding approval and led to a contract with the European Space Agency, according to Giordamlis.

Maritime Applications Drive Satellite Innovation

The MICE 1 name derives from Marine Identification and Communication System, reflecting the satellite’s primary purpose in shipping applications. Giordamlis explained that the company entered the maritime sector during Greece’s economic crisis, capitalizing on the country’s shipping expertise.

Additionally, the technology enables real-time monitoring of vessel fuel consumption and equipment performance, representing a significant advancement from traditional fax and telex communications. The company aims to have new satellite-based products ready by 2030 when international regulations will require ships to upgrade their systems.

Regional Development Concerns Persist Despite Success

Meanwhile, Giordamlis expressed pessimism about broader regional development in Thrace and Evros despite his company’s achievements. The entrepreneur noted that Alexandroupoli has transformed primarily into a tourist destination rather than an industrial hub, with inadequate transportation infrastructure hampering growth.

In contrast to Turkish projects across the border that are being implemented rapidly, Greek initiatives lack concrete implementation studies, he said. The region needs modern railway connections to Thessaloniki and the Balkans, upgraded port facilities, and improved airport services to retain population and attract businesses.

Zero-Error Manufacturing Standards

The nanosatellite project required “zero-risk, zero-error manufacturing” standards with perfect execution, according to Giordamlis. This demanding process provided tremendous learning opportunities for the company’s workforce, which serves as a professional haven for educated young people from the region who wish to remain in their homeland.

Prisma Electronics has evolved into an incubator supporting local talent while maintaining operations that span from Alexandroupoli to Athens. The company leveraged state development laws and European Union research funding through academic partnerships to achieve its technological breakthroughs.

The company will focus on analyzing data from the MICE 1 satellite to refine its maritime technology offerings ahead of the 2030 regulatory deadline for ship system upgrades. Giordamlis noted that Greece possesses significant potential and talent but lacks the consistency and organizational discipline required for long-term projects like space sector development that demand 15 to 20-year planning horizons.