Cretan Center of Excellence in Emerging Space Technologiescore
SPACE-Crete · Horizon Europe grant · 2027-01-01–2032-12-31
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-ACCESS-01 · scheme HORIZON-CSA · topic HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-ACCESS-01-01-two-stage. CORDIS record →
Objective
The SPACE-Crete project will create the new, autonomous, and self-sustained Cretan Center of Excellence in Emerging Space Technologies (CCEST) as a European Leader in emerging Optical and Quantum Communications and Sensing as well as Orbital High-Performance Computing. This vision will be realized through close collaboration with our advanced partners—the Space Architecture & Systems and CosmoStat Laboratories of CEA, the Institutes for Quantum Technologies and Communications and Navigation of the German Aerospace Center (DLR)—and our strategic commercial partner, OHB-Hellas. CCEST will build upon the foundational space research expertise of the FORTH Institutes of Computer Science, Astrophysics, and Electronic Structure and Laser and the academic excellence of the University of Crete. Having OHB-Hellas as an industrial partner will strengthen the Center's role in driving cutting edge innovation and technological advancements.CCEST will establish Crete as a premier European hub for space technology and innovation. Its applications will target space-to-ground optical communications, space surveillance and tracking, time-domain astronomy, and computational sensing for Earth observation, addressing urgent needs in time-critical environmental monitoring, security & defense, civil protection, and astrophysics research. The new testing and development infrastructures, along with the Skinakas Observatory telescopes, will enable CCEST to swiftly transition locally developed foundational technologies (TRL 2/3) into validated prototypes (TRL 5/6) and then, together with our partners, take the most promising projects all the way up to space. To this end, CCEST will become an ESA certified testing facility, solidifying Crete’s position as THE SPACE ISLAND of Greece and Southeastern Europe.
Beneficiaries (5)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNAS | EL | coordinator | €10,000,000 | |
| DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FUR LUFT - UND RAUMFAHRT EV | DE | participant | €1,800,000 | |
| OHB HELLAS MONOPROSOPI ETAIREIA PERIORISMENIS EFTHINIS | EL | participant | €1,300,000 | |
| COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES | FR | participant | €1,200,000 | |
| PANEPISTIMIO KRITIS | EL | participant | €700,000 |
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