Pere Mier, a renowned technology professional with roots in Catalonia and a career including leadership roles at organizations like Ametic and Proespacio, has assumed the presidency of Open Cosmos. This company, founded by Catalan and Mallorcan aerospace engineers, specializes in the design, production, and operation of satellites and is headquartered in Barcelona.
From the Barcelona office in the Sant Andreu district, Mier emphasized his primary role will be to consolidate the growth of a group already considered "one of the fastest-growing in Europe." The strategy centers on "democratizing access to space," making it easier and more affordable. Furthermore, Mier anticipates a key role in developing the defense and security industry, aligning with Europe's objective of achieving greater strategic autonomy, as "space technologies are dual by definition."
Open Cosmos, established in 2015, is characterized by "explosive" growth and a reputation earned through its ability to deliver. The company has significantly reduced satellite development and delivery times, cut costs, and ensured functionality. It currently employs over 300 people and has offices in England, Spain (with Open Cosmos Europe in Barcelona), Portugal, and Greece, with plans for further expansion.
Open Cosmos's primary clients are public entities and governments seeking to democratize space access. The company enables complete missions, from design to operation, at an accessible cost. Clients include regional governments like the Generalitat de Catalunya (with projects such as Enxaneta), as well as governments of other autonomous communities and international agencies like the European Space Agency. Mier highlighted that Open Cosmos is "a company that Catalans should be very proud of" due to its training of local professionals and its activities within the region.
Regarding space traffic regulation, Mier explained that while it's an evolving sector, orbital slots and frequency bands are well-regulated by international agreements. Open Cosmos currently has around 14 or 15 satellites in orbit and builds three satellites per week. The company has pioneered the use of CubeSats, a standard that facilitates the construction of smaller, more affordable satellites, inspired by Lego bricks.
The company offers three business lines: launching and operating satellites or satellite constellations, processing satellite-generated imagery, and the future development of a constellation for real-time communications, crucial for applications like emergency management. Mier stressed the importance of European strategic autonomy, particularly in the current geopolitical climate, and how space technologies, due to their "dual" nature (civil and defense use), play a vital role in this objective.
Collaboration with governments is a constant, as demonstrated by participation in the Atlantic Constellation (Spain-Portugal) and projects with the Generalitat de Catalunya, such as the Menut and Enxaneta nanosatellites.
