Greece Deploys AI-Powered Nanosatellite Constellation to Detect Wildfires

Greece suffered deadly wildfires in 2018 (Athens) and 2021 (the EU’s largest recorded), and record heat in 2024 and 2025 heightened risk, prompting a search for faster detection.

Sentinel Colorado

German firm OroraTech built the four nanosatellites; its CEO Ioannis Landouris and Greek operations head Ioannis Lantouris oversee the technology. Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou and Fire Brigade Commander Zisoula Dasiou (also cited as Col. Zisoula Ntasiou) manage implementation. The EU funds €200 million, with an additional €350 million planned.

Euronews

Four OroraTech nanosatellites were placed in low-Earth orbit in May 2026, creating the world’s first dedicated fire-monitoring constellation integrated into a national firefighting system and targeting hourly, gap-free coverage.

Euronews

Each carry-on-sized satellite carries thermal sensors that spot hotspots as small as four metres. AI analyses 4 × 4 metre grids, filters false alarms and sends location, size and intensity data to commanders in near real-time. Hourly alerts let commanders prioritise resources, run spread simulations on tablets and adjust crews, especially when multiple fires burn.

Euronews

Minister Papastergiou said the satellites will give hourly, gap-free data for early detection and modelling. CEO Landouris explained AI turns raw images into precise alerts. Commander Dasiou noted real-time information improves resource allocation. Lantouris warned rising temperatures demand faster, more accurate AI. All linked the project to EU autonomy goals.

Euronews

The constellation furthers the EU’s push for space, AI and telecom independence, reducing reliance on foreign tech after recent geopolitical tensions. Future radar and optical satellites will broaden use to border surveillance, crop management and urban heat-island mitigation.

Sentinel Colorado

One source names the fire-service commander Zisoula Dasiou, another cites Zisoula Ntasiou, and the OroraTech executive’s surname appears as Landouris or Lantouris; performance data have not been released.

Euronews

• “We scan an area, use these images and send them to our artificial intelligence models. They analyse them with precision down to grid cells of 4 by 4 metres. Then, based on that analysis and the data held by the AI models, they can determine whether it is a fire or not. We then take this information and pass it on to the fire service or any other authority connected to the system,” — Ioannis Landouris, CEO, OroraTech

Euronews

• “With the four nanosatellites OroraTech launched in May, we will have this type of information every hour. There will be no gaps in coverage. This is important not only for early detection but also for the models that predict how a wildfire will spread. In this way, we will know every hour how the fire is developing and moving,” — Zisoula Dasiou, Fire Brigade Commander

Euronews

• “The global temperature is going up. That causes fires to change in intensity and ferocity,” — Ioannis Lantouris, Head of OroraTech’s Greek Operations

Sentinel Colorado

• “These technologies support civil protection, security and, where necessary, defense-related applications,” — Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance

Sentinel Colorado

Additional satellites will launch before the end of 2026, and the EU will add €350 million to the program. Later phases will add radar and optical assets, extending the system to border monitoring, agriculture and heat-island mitigation.

Sentinel Colorado