Greece is strengthening its space presence with mission to send a Greek astronaut into space within the next two years, as announced by Kyriakos Mitsotakis during the presentation of the new National Space Strategy with a horizon of 2035.
At the same time, initiatives were announced to support the educational community, including a nationwide student program for building microsatellites, STEM competitions, and educational initiatives that will bring students into contact with space sciences.
The Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou presented the new national space program “ELLAS Space II,” with a total budget of 350 million euros, which will be implemented over a four-year period with funding from the Recovery Fund, in collaboration with the European Space Agency and the Hellenic Space Agency.
“Today we are taking the next big step—an even bigger one, I dare say. We’re moving from building infrastructure to real, sustainable national capabilities. We’re moving from the local league to the Champions League,” Mr. Papastergiou noted.
As he explained, the program includes new high-resolution Earth observation satellites, secure satellite communication systems, artificial intelligence technologies for the utilization of geospatial data, as well as the development of a national production base for the space industry.
The minister also announced the launch of the first Pan-Hellenic Student Space Program.
“Middle and high school students from all over Greece are invited to design, build, and launch real satellites into orbit. We want to inspire an entire generation to dream big—as high as the human spirit can reach,” he emphasized.
Greece’s progress is impressive
For his part, ESA Director General Josef Asbacher described the progress Greece has made in the space sector from 2019 to the present as impressive.
“I am truly impressed by how quickly you have developed, by what you have achieved, and by the consistency with which you are investing in space. Greece is rapidly evolving into a major regional hub for satellite design, Earth observation, and space research,” he said.
Referring to the prospect of sending a Greek astronaut on a mission, Mr. Asbacher clarified that ESA is committed to exploring all the conditions necessary for carrying out the mission.
“We will support the exploration of options for a future short commercial spaceflight for a Greek citizen, within the framework of European astronaut policy and with ESA’s support for implementation. We are not announcing a specific mission today. However, we are announcing a clear mandate: To explore the path that will lead to it,” he said.
In this context, Josef Asbacher referred to Andrianos Golemis, a Greek flight surgeon working at ESA’s European Astronaut Center in Cologne and one of the runners-up in the European Space Agency’s latest astronaut selection process
The head of ESA also pointed out that Greece is now transforming from a mere user of space services into an active shaper of European space policy.
“Greece is no longer just a user of space. It is an active contributor to the European space ecosystem. It brings expertise, dynamism, political will, and a clear vision. It is a valuable member of ESA, and we are proud to stand by its side as it builds its space capabilities,” he concluded.
