Working Meeting at the Hellenic Parliament with Purdue University, Initiated by Dr. Avgerinopoulou

A working meeting and academic collaboration between representatives of the academic and business communities engaged in space sciences and their applications was held at the Hellenic Parliament, initiated by the Chair of the Environment Committee and Member of Parliament for Ilia, Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange scientific views and jointly develop research and educational programs between Greece and the United States, as well as to design common actions to strengthen Research and Technology cooperation.

The collaboration with Purdue University is considered particularly strategic, as it is widely known as a “cradle of astronauts.” It offers highly specialized programs in space applications and aerospace engineering, has produced 27 or more astronauts, and maintains close cooperation with NASA. It also hosts the Purdue Space Program (PSP), an interdisciplinary student team engaged in the design, construction, and flight of experimental rockets and small satellites.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Digital Governance Mr. Konstantinos Kyranakis, Dr. Panayiotis Vlahos, Vice President of Purdue University, representatives of Greek organizations and companies, as well as researchers active in aerospace engineering, space technology, and related applications. Among them were Dr. Emmanuel Plionis, President of the National Observatory of Athens; Dr. Spyros Basilakos, Director of Astronomy at the Observatory; Dr. Nikolaos Sgouros, CEO of the Hellenic Space Center; and Dr. Dimitrios Mylonas, Advisor to the Center; Ms. Maria Kokkoris and Ms. Eirini Tsipi, representatives of the European Institute of Law, Science & Technology; representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Athens, including Ms. Heidi-Hakone Louise Jovanovic, Deputy Economic Counselor, Mr. Vasileios Zoakos, Economic Counselor, and Ms. Maria Georgousi, Commercial Counselor; Mr. Alexandros Kostopoulos, representative of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Stavros Bollanos, Vice President of the Hellenic Association of Space Industry Companies & Applications and Director of Planetek Hellas; Mr. Theodoros Moraitis, Head of Government and Corporate Affairs at Microsoft Greece; Dr. Katerina Dasira, astrophysics researcher; Ms. Maria Gerasimou, law student specializing in Space Law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; as well as representatives of Greek space-related companies.

20th Anniversary of Greece’s Participation in the European Space Agency

It is noted that on July 19 marks the 20th anniversary of the signing in Paris of the Agreement between Greece and the European Space Agency (ESA), regarding Greece’s accession as the 16th full member of the Organization.

A significant milestone of this cooperation has been the adoption of Greece’s National Space Strategy, in which the Parliamentary Environment Committee played an important role. A revised framework of this strategy is currently under development.

Scientific research, technology, telecommunications, security, the economy, the environment, agriculture, transport, e-governance, and trade are key sectors in which Greece is investing through a comprehensive legal, political, and strategic framework governing national space activities.

Dr. Avgerinopoulou stated that Greece’s participation in ESA is highly beneficial, as it constitutes a strategic advantage, supporting the development of a national space industry and innovative research programs. Greece has also contributed to the development of significant space applications with tangible benefits for EU citizens, particularly in telecommunications, environmental protection, and disaster prevention and response, including Copernicus Earth observation applications and the advanced “Digital Twin Earth / Destination Earth” program.