COSPAR 2022 – 44th Scientific Assembly

COSPAR 2022 – 44th Scientific Assembly
Athens hosts world’s leading scientific conference on space research and technology

Athens, 28 July 2022 | Greece’s capital this month successfully hosted the international scientific conference on space research and technology COSPAR 2022 – the world’s preeminent forum for space science – with the participation of leading space agencies and private enterprises from around the world.

The meeting was held in Athens July 16-24 at the conference center of the Athens Concert Hall and was coordinated by the National Space Research Committee of the Academy of Athens and the Hellenic Space Center. This year's event drew 2,500 participants from 65 countries, both in person and online, and included the presence of space agencies like NASA, ESA, JAXA, ROSCOSMOS, ISRO and SNSA.

The Greek stand at the event was organized by Enterprise Greece and the Hellenic Association of Space Industry (HASI), which was represented by 10 member companies. Executive Director and member of the Board of Directors of Enterprise Greece, Betty Alexandropoulou, welcomed the Minister of Digital Governance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, and the Deputy Governor of Attica, Georgios Dimopoulos, to the event.

In her remarks Ms. Alexandropoulou said: "For Enterprise Greece it is a special pleasure to host the 44th General Assembly of COSPAR 2022 in Athens. In recent years, our agency has implemented a series of actions to support the technology sector and has undertaken important initiatives to promote it. It is worth noting that the space technology sector in Greece now employs extremely talented scientists and graduates of STEM sciences. The Greek space industry has great potential and the COSPAR conference was a unique opportunity for Greek enterprises to network with recognized researchers and industry leaders from around the world."

Mr. Athanasios Potsis, President of HASI, was also present at the event. According to the Association, the Greek space industry currently employs over 2,500 highly-skilled and educated personnel with annual turnover exceeding €185 million, of which more than €150 million represent exports of Greek space products and value-added services abroad.