Greece enters the astronaut era as scientist joins ESA training programme

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Greece is marking a significant milestone in space exploration, as a Greek scientist has been selected to participate in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) astronaut training programme, raising the possibility of a Greek astronaut joining a space mission for the first time.

Dr. Adrianos Golemis has begun training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, having emerged from one of the most competitive selection processes in European aerospace. He was chosen from a pool of more than 22,000 applicants.

The country has historically played a limited role in human spaceflight, and Dr. Golemis’s selection represents a genuine shift in that trajectory.

Greece’s digital governance minister, Dimitris Papastergiou, called the development a source of national inspiration, particularly for young scientists.

“A few years ago, Greece’s position in space seemed like a distant scenario,” he told Euronews Next, pointing to recent investments in microsatellites and nanosatellites as evidence of the country’s growing ambitions in the sector. He added that Greece’s small satellite fleet is expected to be largely completed within the coming months.

ESA has in recent years made deliberate efforts to widen its astronaut corps beyond its traditionally dominant member states.

According to Papastergiou, this investment is not only about scientific progress but also about practical applications that directly affect the everyday life of citizens. Satellite data, he explained, are already being used for more accurate weather forecasting, natural disaster and fire management, as well as for civil protection issues.

At the same time, space applications can contribute to supporting agricultural production, controlling agricultural subsidies and protecting the environment and water. In addition, they play an important role in areas such as telecommunications, cybersecurity and defence, where the use of satellite data and new technologies is now considered critical to the functioning of modern states.

The minister underlined that the national strategy aims to develop an ecosystem of space applicationsthat will boost the economy and innovation, while providing valuable tools for public decision-making.