According to the company, the Department of Electrical Engineering of Democritus University of Thrace designed and built the CubeSat-type satellite DUTHSat-2, which will detect oil spills and deliberate discharge of ship waste (bilge water), which are responsible for more than 60% of marine pollution.
The DUTHSat-2, measuring 10 x 20 x 30 cm and weighing 10 kg, will contribute to the timely detection and reporting of such incidents, enhancing the monitoring of the Aegean and other marine areas.
As part of its commitment to supporting research and technology development, Sunlight Group provides technological support for conducting tests at its facilities in the industrial complex in Xanthi, ensuring the reliability and durability of the satellite ahead of its launch. Vibration tests and frequency analysis confirmed the DUTHSat-2's resistance to the strong vibrations caused during launch, as well as the required certification for secure attachment to the Falcon 9 rocket, which is expected to launch in June 2025 from the USA as part of the Transporter 14 mission.
Katerina Fotoglou, Head of Testing Laboratory at Sunlight Group, stated: "For Sunlight Group, it is a great satisfaction to collaborate with the team from Democritus University of Thrace and contribute to the DUTHSat-2 mission. Their dedication to the development of the satellite and meeting the demanding ESA specifications is truly remarkable. We are providing technological support for conducting tests at our facilities in Xanthi, contributing to the development of technologies that have a positive impact on society and the environment."
Theodoros Sarris, Associate Professor at Democritus University of Thrace, mentioned: "We would like to warmly thank Sunlight for the valuable support they have provided to our team as part of this innovative initiative. The quality of Sunlight's facilities and the technical expertise of their testing team are unparalleled and rival those of similar facilities abroad, while the willingness and enthusiasm of the entire Sunlight testing team during the environmental tests of DUTHSat-2 have left us with a deep sense of gratitude. Our collaboration with Sunlight Group demonstrates the importance of the partnership between the academic community and industry in developing technologies that have a positive impact on everyone."
The Sunlight Group team stands out for its expertise and dedication to innovation and technological advancement, supported by specialized scientists, engineers, and professionals. Through investments exceeding 10 million euros, Sunlight has developed a fully certified laboratory of global standards – the only one of its kind for industrial battery applications – enhancing the company's technological superiority and making it a benchmark in the energy industry. Thanks to cutting-edge infrastructure and its commitment to excellence, Sunlight successfully executes demanding missions, ensuring the highest quality and reliability of its systems. Continuous development and innovation are not merely strategies, but deeply ingrained philosophies, making Sunlight a global leader.
It is noted that the DUTHSat-2 program is being developed as part of a collaboration between the General Secretariat for Telecommunications of the Ministry of Digital Governance and the European Space Agency (ESA), with funding from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
