A Historic Milestone for Greece's Presence in Space

The announcement was made by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during an event dedicated to Greece's space sector. "In the coming years, Adrianos will be in space. This is an investment we are making as a country, one that carries both symbolic and practical value," the Prime Minister said, expressing his belief that "within this timeframe, we will have the first Greek astronaut." He also described Greece's partnership with the European Space Agency as, in his own words, "money well spent."

The 39-year-old physician from Larissa, a graduate of the city's Medical School, has already built an impressive career in the field of space medicine. For years, he has been part of the team responsible for monitoring the health of European astronauts.

From Doctor to Astronaut Candidate

Golemis' connection to space is no coincidence. He has served as an "astronaut physician" at the European Astronaut Centre, where he contributed to the preparation and medical support of space missions. He has also personally experienced extreme environments that closely simulate the isolation and challenges of space.

One notable example is his year-long stay at the Concordia Research Station in Antarctica, one of the most remote and extreme locations on Earth.

In 2022, he achieved another major distinction by successfully passing all stages of ESA's highly competitive astronaut selection process, standing out among tens of thousands of candidates from across Europe.

As Golemis himself has noted, what began as a personal achievement has now become a national opportunity, giving Greece the chance to establish a presence in the field of astronauts for the very first time.

Rigorous Training

His astronaut candidate training is taking place at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, and will run from April to October 2026. Completing the program is a key prerequisite for participation in future space missions.

The intensive curriculum combines both theoretical and practical training, covering subjects such as:

• Aerospace engineering
• Robotics and astrophysics
• International Space Station systems
• Spacewalk simulations

It is considered one of the most demanding astronaut training programs in Europe.

Regardless of the outcome, Adrianos Golemis' inclusion in ESA's astronaut training program represents not only a remarkable personal achievement but also an important step in Greece's broader national strategy for space exploration.