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4 Balkan companies revolutionising space communication technology

Balkan space technology: Our everyday lives are now significantly impacted by space technology and communications, which have an impact on everything from scientific research and environmental monitoring to navigation and telecommunications. Significant advancements have resulted from the ongoing development of these technologies, with private initiative playing a crucial role. In the Balkans, there is a growing activity in the field of space technology, with several companies developing innovative projects that contribute to the global space community. These companies leverage local skills and resources to drive technological progress and boost the region’s economic growth. Indicatively, Greece is one of the four countries in Europe with its own satellites, which underlines the importance of space technology in the region.

Let’s look at four notable Balkan companies active in the space technology sector.

SPACE MOBILITY

SPACE MOBILITY, based in Athens, redefines mobility both in space and on Earth. In space exploration, the company is developing the four-legged Lunar ExplOrer (LEO) robot, designed to traverse inaccessible and dangerous locations on the Moon, such as Shackleton Crater. This robot aims to be a key tool in the next phase of lunar exploration. In addition, the LEO for Earth product line offers flexible and low-cost robots for applications in fields such as agriculture, rescue and industry, enabling the automation of tasks and the improvement of human life.

EnduroSat

EnduroSat, based in Sofia, Bulgaria, is an innovative company focused on the development and production of a new generation of nanosatellites. Its goal is to create a new satellite, a data-as-a-service business model that allows consumers to immediately buy and sell space data through the cloud from hundreds of in-orbit sensors. One of the company’s main initiatives is its Space Data Gateway, which promises a lower cost for high-speed delivery of low-Earth orbit (LEO) data and enables access to space data for commercial and academic customers.

Amphinicy Technologies

Amphinicy Technologies is a leading provider of advanced software solutions and comprehensive support for the satellite industry. With more than 25 years of market presence, it has more than 75 specialists in its offices in Zagreb and Luxembourg, having completed more than 100 projects for clients worldwide. Leveraging multi-facilitator approaches, its core products consist of broadband modem software Blink for satellite missions; and Monica, modern, highly flexible monitoring and control software for ground segment infrastructure and systems. With customers including the European Space Agency (ESA), the company is best known for its solutions to improve satellite system operation and efficiency.

ARCA Space Corporation

Romania-based ARCA Space Corporation develops advanced technologies for space exploration, aeronautics and defence. It mainly focuses on space resource exploitation technologies, with an emphasis on ecological approach and economic efficiency, with the aim of accessing the rich space resources and addressing the depletion of natural resources on Earth. With more than 25 years of experience, ARCA has developed projects such as the EcoRocket, an eco-friendly, low-cost, reusable rocket capable of carrying payloads into low Earth orbit, and the AMi Exploration program, which aims to mine precious metals from asteroids.

These four companies are just a sample of the innovative efforts being developed in the field of space technology in the Balkans. More start-ups in the area are likely to develop as a result of the ongoing technological advancements and the increasing need for space-related solutions. The Balkans will undoubtedly remain a growing force on the global space innovation map since space is regarded as the next major sector of investment and investigation.

George Mavridis is a journalist currently conducting his doctoral research at the Department of Journalism and Mass Media at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). He holds a degree from the same department, as well as a Master’s degree in Media and Communication Studies from Malmö University, Sweden, and a second Master’s degree in Digital Humanities from Linnaeus University, Sweden. In 2024, he completed his third Master’s degree in Information and Communication Technologies: Law and Policy at AUTH. Since 2010, he has been professionally involved in journalism and communication, and in recent years, he has also turned to book writing.