COSPAR Athens 2022: largest global space research and technology conference is being held in Athens

The 44th General Assembly of the International Committee for Space Research (44th COSPAR Scientific Assembly), the crown of global space research and technology conferences, is being held this year in Athens (Megaron Athens International Conference Center (MAICC) and Divani Caravel Hotel) from 16 to 24 July 2022. The event of extraordinary importance for the global scientific community, COSPAR Athens 2022, is being co-ordinated by the National Space Research Committee of the Academy of Athens and the newly established Hellenic Space Centre (H.S.D.).

For one whole week, Athens will be the centre of the global scientific community in the fields of Space Research and Technology. All the major space organisations from around the world will be present, as well as cutting-edge international space technology. Two thousand renowned scientists will be present, while more than 500 scientists are expected to attend online. There will be many important announcements and presentations which are expected to attract the interest of the international scientific community and the Media.

The 2022 exhibition area will feature leading space agencies including NASA, through the agency’s popular Hyperwall. Pavilions will also showcase the si-Cluster / Hellenic Association of Space Industry, the Hellenic Space Center, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. A series of events will take place during the Assembly, sponsored by the Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), Lockheed Martin, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Southwest Research Institute and other global players in space exploration.

The organisation of the 44th COSPAR conference in Greece is a great opportunity not only for the country’s young scientists to listen and talk with eminent scientists from all over the world, but also for students who are interested in any of the scientific fields represented at the conference. The organisation, supported by public and private bodies, wishes to send a message of hope and possibilities to attract a new generation to scientific research and strengthen the international collaborations of Greek space scientists around the world.

As pointed out by Stamatis Krimigis, President of the National Space Research Committee of the Academy of Athens and Chair of the Scientific Organising Committee of the Conference: ‘More than 3,500 presentations are planned, as well as brief speeches from invited guests. In addition, there will be special announcements of the latest discoveries, as well as a Round Table discussion with the leaders of the most important Space Agencies, e.g. NASA, ESA, CNES, JAXA, CSA’.

A Press Office will operate during the Conference and daily press briefings will be held (from Tuesday 19 to Friday 22 July, at 6 pm), during which the most important announcements of the Conference will be presented.

It should be noted that research in the field of Space at the European level is financed by the Horizon Europe programme under the ‘Digital Technologies, Industry and Space’ programme, for which the National Documentation Centre (EKT) is the National Contact Point. In this role, EKT supports organisations, businesses, academics and research bodies all the way- from identifying funding opportunities to submitting proposals, implementing projects and exploiting research results.

About COSPAR Athens 2022

The General Assemblies of COSPAR are held every two years on a different continent and promote the exploration of Space far from geopolitical considerations. COSPAR has its roots in the International Council of Scientific Associations (now the International Council of Sciences) and at the start of the space age of Sputnik, Vostok 1 and the Apollo programme in the mid-20th century.

In 2018, the Council of COSPAR voted for Athens, one of four strong European nominations (Athens, Warsaw, Lausanne, Prague) to be the next venue for the conference. The conference is also being held, along with many parallel activities, under the auspices of the Assembly of the International Academy of Astronautics, which will take place in the Central Hall of the Academy of Athens.

At this juncture in time, with the end of the Covid-19 pandemic and the unprecedented challenges in our region, the holding of COSPAR Athens 2022 acquires historical significance, beyond being the first such event for Greece. It aims to demonstrate on the one hand the potential of Greek space research and technology community and on the other hand those of the strong and accomplished Greek diaspora, which, more than ever, are heeding and supporting the community within the country.

The Scientific Organising Committee is headed by: Dr. Stamatios Krimigis (Academy of Athens) – Chairt, Prof. Ioannis Daglis (H.S.D.) – Vice-Chairt. Heads of the Local Organising Committee: are: Dr. Manolis Georgoulis (KEAEM of the Athens Academy) - Chair, Dr. Nikos Sergis (H.SD.) - Vice-Chair.

The local Organising Committee is supported by the following organisations: Eugenides Foundation, National Observatory of Athens, National Centre for Scientific Research ‘Demokritos’ Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation, si-Cluster, Hellenic German Education, Centre for Aviation Medicine, Hellenic Aviation Industry, Hellenic Radio Television, Universities of the Aegean, Athens, Thessaloniki, Thrace, Ioannina, Crete, Peloponnese, Ministries of Digital Governance, Culture & Sports, Education & Religion, Municipality of Athens, Region of Attica, Aegean Airlines, other private entities

For more information visit the conference website: https://www.cosparathens2022.org/

A public activity at 44th Cospar Athens 2022 Scientific Assembly

As part of COSPAR Athens 2022, the activity ‘Constellations Paths’ will be held for the general public on Wednesday, July 20 at 18:30 in the National Garden. It is an experiential educational activity in the form of a ‘treasure hunt’ for adults (and/or minors with obligatory adult accompaniment). The objective is for participants to experience Space and Astrophysics through entertainment.

Framed around the constellations of Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Andromeda, Perseus and Pegasus, participants will take a ‘journey’ to the planets of the Solar System and learn about the basic principles of astrophysics. The event is supported by the Municipality of Athens. Admission is free but reservations are required.

For more information: https://forms.gle/TjdcAeUWhREtHTBv7