The ERMIS Nanosatellite Constellation: Defence & Security Applications

The ERMIS mission, part of Greece’s £200M National Small Satellite Programme, is a pioneering constellation of three cubesats (two 6U and one 8U) designed to enhance national security and defence capabilities. Coordinated by the National Kapodistrian University of Athens with key partners, ERMIS will deliver advanced connectivity and Earth observation services tailored to Greece’s needs. Scheduled for launch in January 2026, the £4.8M project features a 5G-IoT network, inter-satellite links, and hyperspectral imaging (5m GSD) for applications such as precise agriculture monitoring and real-time data collection. Funded by the EU’s NextGenerationEU and the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance, ERMIS bolsters Greece’s space infrastructure and can support security and defence through secure laser optical downlinks (1 Gbps), paving the way for a robust national space presence.