In 2021 LibreSpace Foundation (LSF) launched the PHASMA project funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU, the Greek National Recovery and Resilience Fund, and the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance.
LSF, a Greek NGO collaborating with the European Space Agency, uses free and open source hardware, firmware, software, data, and technologies, to empower the Greek economy and society. Its efforts aim to enhance resilience and prepare for the future.
The Ministry launched the Greek National Satellite Project to enhance satellite technology capabilities among Greek SMEs. The Project claims that the LSF is aligned with this vision and aims to deliver the open source satellite (CubeSat) constellation that can benefit the local space community as they collaborate in its creation. Thus, giving Greece a key role in technological developments, contributing to creating a sustainable and strong space ecosystem in the country.
Space! The final frontier.
LSF-PHASMA is designing and developing two open source cube satellites to perform experiments in the Earth's upper atmosphere (ionosphere) and oversee the electromagnetic spectrum.
“You will be the first to hear… the satellites are named PHASMA-LAMARR and PHASMA-DIRAC in honor of Hedy Lamarr, inventor and actress, and Paul Dirac, mathematician and theoretical physicist”- LSF’s Vice Chairman
The experiments have two main objectives: first, to collect valuable insights from monitoring the Earth's spectrum and other satellite signals, which will be shared openly to assist future similar experiments; and second, to enhance the signals of everyday technologies such as radio, television, and GPS.
“We want everything we produce, use, and learn to be free and open for everyone under open licenses” - LSF’s Vice Chairman
The systems and equipment used for the project are co-created with the local space community of Athens sustainably, by using affordable, easily accessible materials and tools. The participants are developing processes and a knowledge library to make the production of the satellites more collaborative and easier for others to pitch in. The whole manufacturing takes place in LSF’s Athens-based “hackerspace”, a place in which people with an interest in computing and technology can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge. Their way of manufacturing locally diverges from the global chain of production and the accompanying C02 emissions thus empowering a greener economy. The licenses they use for their open hardware and software are the CERN Open Hardware License Version 2 and the GPL family respectively.
“Those licenses protect us both as users, and businessmen and contribute to actual freedom and openness”- LSF’s Vice Chairman
What is the aim of LSF?
The LSF aims to change the perception that only highly funded and technologically specialised organizations can participate in space projects. They produce knowledge that can be reused in the future. Finally, in their “manifesto”, they highlight that everyone has the right to explore and use outer space for the benefit of all humanity, and this exploration should be done collaboratively and cooperatively.
The satellites will be launched in 2025.
“ With open source, the sky is not the limit… it is the best method of collaboration”- LSF’s Vice Chairman
A sincere thanks to the Vice Chairman of the LSF for his availability and valuable contributions. Your support is greatly appreciated !
For more information on the code repository of PHASMA click here.
For all the projects of LSF and their manifesto click here.
For the network of satellite stations, LSF has openly created throughout the years click here and here.
Sources
- https://news.satnews.com/2023/07/20/libre-space-foundations-2-million-euros-phasma-project-with-esa-for-development-of-three-open-source-cubesats/
- https://www.greeknewsagenda.gr/libre-space-foundation-from-athens-to-outer-space/
- https://www.esa.int/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications/ESA_backs_Greek_firms_and_universities_CubeSats
Featured image sent to us by the LSF’s Vice Chairman & Interviewee