Greece

Young Space Activities Overview in Greece

Greece realizes its endeavours in space primarily through its European Space Agency (ESA) membership, dating from 2005. The country’s space sector is relatively new, yet rapidly developing. At a national level, the Greek Secretariat for Telecommunications and Posts (GSTP) represents Greece at ESA while the creation of a Greek Space Agency is underway.

Other public institutions, such as the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) help coordinate Greece’s space research efforts too. The newly-formed, industry-led si-Cluster heads the country’s advancement in space technologies, bringing together several industrial enterprises as well as university labs. Greek academics residing within the country or working abroad contribute frequently and substantially to international space research and applications on a variety of disciplines.

Greek universities take part in many ESA projects, for example the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is involved in ESA’s “AIM” mission. Space science communication and dissemination is carried out by keen educators and volunteers who seek to motivate the younger generation to be part of the space sector and convince their contemporaries why it is important to invest in the long-term vision of space exploration and technology.

Greek citizens are entitled to participate in research initiatives of or seek employment by ESA, Eumetsat and other international institutions that the country is part of. On top of this, Greece has developed bilateral relations with states pursuing national space programmes, resulting in collaborative endeavours such as “Helios II” (with France, Belgium and Spain). Similar agreements have been made at an industry level (closer cooperation with Israeli and French counterparts).

Together with an enthusiastic team of volunteers, the Greek SGAC NPoCs organised in 2017 a 2-day event called SG[Greece]. Day one was dominated by a public outreach event featuring presentations by Professor Tom Krimigis of the Academy of Athens, European Astronaut Luca Parmitano and ESA ExoMars engineer Pantelis Poulakis. The second day was dedicated to students and young professionals interested in becoming involved in space and producing ideas concerning the Greek space sector and its future under the guidance of experts.

Country-Specific Events in 2023

Coming soon!

Interesting Web Links

• ESA in Greek – Official webpage of the European Space Agency in Greek
• General Secretariat for Telecommunications and Posts (ΓΓΤΤ – GSTP) represents Greece at ESA and coordinates the country’s space endeavours si-Cluster
• Hellenic Space Technologies and Applications Cluster (si-Cluster)
• Academy of Athens, Office of Space Research & Technology – the Office of Space Research and Technology is headed by Professor Tom Krimigis
• National Observatory of Athens – NOA pioneers in many aspects of the space sector, ranging from research to education
• HASI – Website of the Hellenic Aerospace Industry
• Libre Space Foundation – The Libre Space Foundation has created the first-ever open-source satellite as well as other interesting space-related projects
• Master of Science in Space Science, Technologies and Applications – Master’s degree on Space Science, Technologies and Applications by the University of Peloponnese and the National Observatory of Athens
• International Space University – ISU provides interdisciplinary education on space sciences. The University has a populous Greek alumni community
• GSRT – The General Secretariat for Research and Technology (ΓΓΕΤ)
• Hel.A.S. – Website of the Hellenic Astronomical Society (ΕΛ.Α.Σ.)
• Olympian Centre for Astrophysics – The OCfA is a non-profit institution that organizes international astrophysical symposia and workshops of the highest quality in Greece
• TIE Lab – The Transformable and Intelligent Environments Laboratory of the Technical University of Crete conducts research on space architecture among other things
• Evgenidio Foundation – Evgenidio is home to one of the world’s most modern and advanced planetaria, the Foundation also collaborates with the European South Observatory (ESA) on outreach projects
• Noesis Thessaloniki – Noesis is a science centre and technology museum situated in northern Greece, it also hosts a planetarium
• Astronomy and Space Society of Volos – Etaireia Astronomias kai Diastimatos is an amateur astronomer society that has received great recognition for its space outreach endeavours, including an award from the President of the Greek Republic
• Friends of Astronomy Club Thessaloniki – Omilos Filon Astronomias (OFA) is an amateur club of astronomy lovers that contributes substantially to space education and research
• MissionX: Train like an Astronaut – Train like an Astronaut in Greece, ideal for schools!
• ESA conference scholarship opportunities – ESA offers scholarship opportunities for students to attend conferences
• ESA EduSpace Website – ESA website with material on space education in Greek
• ESA Brochure – ESA’s educational brochure
• Yuri’s Night – Create your own space event on the anniversary of the first human spaceflight, 12 April!
• World Space Week – Join tens of thousands of people around the globe as we celebrate the World Space Week in October, sharing in formal or informal, educational or friendly events!