Greece is preparing for a historic milestone in space exploration as Adrianos Golemis, the country’s first European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, is scheduled to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in the summer of 2027, spending two weeks conducting Greek and European scientific experiments.
Ahead of the mission, the Hellenic Space Center and the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence have launched a public initiative inviting citizens to propose a name for the country’s first astronaut mission.
The flight, part of the VAST-PAM-1 mission, will involve research developed through cooperation among universities, scientific institutions, private companies and specialists from Greece and other European countries.
According to the Hellenic Space Center, the mission’s name should reflect Greece’s cultural identity, scientific exploration and international cooperation, while appealing particularly to younger generations.
From Medical Research in Antarctica to Space
Born in Greece in 1987 and raised in Larissa, Golemis is a physician with extensive experience in space medicine and research into the effects of extreme environments on the human body.
He graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School in 2012 and subsequently earned a master’s degree in Space Studies from the International Space University in Strasbourg, France.
Between 2013 and 2015, he spent 14 months at the Concordia research station in Antarctica, participating in European scientific experiments examining human physiology and psychology under conditions of prolonged isolation.
He later worked at the French Institute of Space Medicine and Physiology (MEDES), contributing to studies simulating the physical effects of spaceflight.
Beginning in 2018, Golemis served as a flight surgeon supporting ESA astronauts before, during and after missions to the ISS. Between 2024 and 2026, he held the position of Lead Flight Surgeon within ESA’s Space Medicine Team.
In 2022, he became the first Greek to successfully complete all six stages of ESA’s astronaut selection process. He officially joined the agency as a project astronaut on September 1, 2026, becoming the first Greek citizen to begin astronaut training at its European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany.
Beyond his professional activities, Golemis is an amateur astronomer and astrophotographer, a scuba diver and a licensed private pilot. He speaks Greek, English, French and German.
Public Invited to Propose Mission Name by October 30
In a video published on the Hellenic Space Center’s social media accounts, Golemis explained that the proposed name should ideally incorporate elements of Greek cultural heritage, research, exploration and cooperation.
He also referred to his personal background as a physician and amateur astronomer, his interest in the sea and his experience living in Antarctica.
Organizers are seeking a short word or combination of words that is memorable and easy to pronounce in both Greek and English. The name should appeal to audiences across Greece and Europe, particularly young people.
Personal names should generally be avoided, except for widely recognized figures from mythology whose symbolism is broadly understood.
Golemis’s participation is being arranged through an agreement between ESA and the American aerospace company Vast. The mission is expected to use a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, subject to the necessary international crew approvals.
The deadline for submitting proposals is October 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Greek time. Suggestions can be submitted through the Hellenic Space Center’s official website.
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