A dive into our Cretan branch

The universe is expanding, such does OHB Hellas.

After almost a year of quietly laying the foundations in Heraklion, our branch in Crete is now fully operational — and it truly feels like OHB Hellas has found its place in the heart of the Mediterranean. What began with just an idea is now growing into a vibrant place where collaborations and new possibilities are finally coming to life. And with this momentum, OHB is embracing a bold vision for the future: turning Crete into our very own Space Island, a place where innovation, talent, and space ambition come together.

New offices are located within Science Technology Park of Crete facilities, a trsuted partner thats has helped many companys to grow in the past and that will help us to achieve our ambitious objectives. This new adventure will also be made in close partnership with the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH). FORTH is one the most prominent Greek research organization that focuses on advanced scientific research and innovation in various fields, including computer science, engineering, biology, and physics. It is known for its interdisciplinary approach and contributions to both fundamental research and technological development.

OHB Hellas intends to build here a place that matters. To us, with offices, cleanroom and control room, but also to anyone who trust in the future of Greece.

Since the beginning of 2025, we’ve been lucky to call Heraklion our new home. Opening a branch in Crete felt like the right move, not just for the sunshine and the sea (though I won’t deny those perks🌞🏖️), but because it offers a fresh environment, new people to interact with and creates new opportunities. From our new base in the middle of the Mediterranean, we are building a close collaboration with FORTH, Greece’s largest research institute with whom we are preparing the future: That’s the next big step, consolidate this relationship. We’re actively working on financing opportunities to produce our key product: an Onboard High-Performance Computer and to expand our onboard Software verification portofolio. In alignment with OHB’s strategy, it answers many of today's space challenges and will keep the company at the forefront of tomorrow’s more adaptable and autonomous missions.
Martial Bailly
Martial BaillyProject Management Officer
The goal is to take advantage of the local highly trained people and offer them the possibility to work on world-class space missions, a unique opportunity in Greece. "This is the place where I have my roots. I grew up in Heraklion and made my studies in the University of Crete. This is the place where I belong and at OHB Hellas, I found the space to apply and develop my skills in exciting projects with high impact. From having posters with satellites back in the years as a youngster, to writing code for them now, everything feels great in what I'm pursuing right now. All this make me reflect the famous phrase from one of the greatest Greek Poet Cavafy: 'As you set out for Ithaca', hope the journey is a long one. We're going to achieve great things here.
Konstantinos Zervakis
Konstantinos ZervakisSoftware Test Engineer
What excites me most today are the opportunities that lie ahead of us. Winning LISA, contributing to high profile mission and the new perspectives in Crete, all of these are important milestones. Piece by piece, things are starting to fall into place, and we can now legitimately hope for great things to come. With determination and ambition, we are building the foundations to achieve great things. What lies ahead is promising, and with steady progress, we can turn today’s milestones into tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
Katerina Panopoulou
Katerina PanopoulouManaging Director

A place for Cretan and Greek talent

Katerina Panopoulou: "Crete ready to become a hub of space innovation" – FORTH and OHB Hellas build the first "Space Island"

New challenges lie ahead of us and future generations. Building something that matters today is our responsability to ensure that tommorow will still be a welcoming place for our children. Greece has been standing for thousands of years, our duty is to make it stand for thousands more.
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Credit for heading picture: ESA
Credit for offices picture: FORTH

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