- November 24, 2023
- Posted by: EARSC
- Categories: Members News, Uncategorised
Athens, November 23, 2023
Planetek Hellas, a frontrunner in Satellite Earth Observation (EO) based intelligence solutions for security, law enforcement and defense, has entered a crucial phase of collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) through a newly signed contract. The contract is part of ESA’s EO for Civil Security Applications initiative, a cornerstone of the Agency’s FutureEO‐1 program. An important pillar of the project resulting from this contract is designed to represent a best practice and to showcase to INTERPOL’s Counter Terrorism Directorate innovative ways that global law enforcement authorities can engage with terrorism and organized crime.
Set within an implementation timeframe of 12 months and a contract valued at €500,000, this groundbreaking initiative serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it commits to developing and stringently validating avant‐garde EO‐ based strategies, specifically designed for security and law enforcement activities, under the expert counsel of seasoned security specialists. Secondly, it aims to streamline the integration of EO services within INTERPOL’s Counter Terrorism operations, marrying them with open‐source intelligence to enhance operational efficiency and tactical response rates significantly.
In this venture Planetek Hellas heads a consortium of industry experts and research pioneersincluding the globally respected defense and security open‐source intelligence firm Janes (UK), and the acclaimed Center for Security Studies (GR) – a research organization overseen by the Hellenic Ministry of Citizen Protection.
INTERPOL representatives emphasized the importance ofsatellite Earth Observation and open‐source intelligence when it comes to combating organized crime and terrorism. In the same context it is expected that the project will facilitate relative operations of the Member States.
Michela Corvino, ESA’s Project Manager said, “Our primary goal in this activity is to enhance the geospatial industrial capabilities in Europe and inspire innovative proposals for integrated technology solutions that can be applied to prevent, detect, or respond to threats and crimes of concern to the international community. We are happy to assign this contract to the Planetek Hellas lead team”.
“This new contract with ESA, awarded to us following open competition, is a testament to our capability to assemble and lead teams that combine industrial and research capacity and fulfill the Agency’s stringent quality criteria,” said Stelios Bollanos, Co‐Founder & Director of Planetek Hellas. “It is furthermore a significant endorsement of our knowhow in designing and implementing EO based services within vital security and law enforcement frameworks.”
Planetek Hellas EPE ■ 44 Kifisias Avenue ■ 15125 Marousi, Athens ■ Greece T +30 2152157390 ■ F +30 2152157398 ■ info @planetek.gr ■ www.planetek.gr Registration Number: 0006916601000
For further info please contact:
Elia Mavrodonti
Tel: +30 215 215 7390
news@planetek.gr
In a few words:
ESA is an intergovernmental organization with 22 Member States., established in 1975, to push the frontiers of science and technology, and promote economic growth in Europe. ESA’s purpose is to provide, and to promote, for exclusively peaceful purposes, cooperation among European States in space research and technology and theirspace applications, with a view to their being used forscientific purposes and for operational space applications systems: by elaborating and implementing a long‐term European space policy, by recommending space objectives to the Member States, and by concerting the policies of the Member States with respect to other national and international organizations and institutions; by elaborating and implementing activities and programs in the space field. ESA is also responsible for the development ofsatellite technology and applications as well as for the promotion of European industry. The view expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency. www.esa.int
INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) is an inter‐governmental organization. Has 195 member countries, and helps police in all of them to work together to make the world a safer place. To do this, INTERPOL enables them to share and access data on crimes and criminals, and offers a range of technical and operational support. www.interpol.int
Planetek Hellas is a Greek company, active in the field of Satellite Earth Observation Applications, Space Data Infrastructure, and Space & Ground Segment Software Development, since its establishment 18 years ago. Company customers currently include some of the most important bodies at the European level, such as the European Space Agency, the European Commission, the European Union Satellite Center, the European Environment Agency, and some of the biggest Industriesin the domain such as Airbus, Indra, E‐geos, GMV and other. The company is a founding member of the Hellenic Space Industries Cluster and a full member of the “Hellenic Space Technology and Applications Industry” Association. www.planetek.gr
Planetek Hellas EPE ■ 44 Kifisias Avenue ■ 15125 Marousi, Athens ■ Greece T +30 2152157390 ■ F +30 2152157398 ■ info @planetek.gr ■ www.planetek.gr Registration Number: 0006916601000
