Greek Space Leader Calls Women to Join Aerospace Sector

Greek scientist Dr Christina Giannopapa, president and co-founder of Women in Aerospace Europe (WIA-Europe), is calling on Greek women and men to explore the growing opportunities emerging across Europe’s aerospace and space sector.

Giannopapa, who heads the Office of the Executive Director at the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), said aerospace offers a field of inspiration, creativity and innovation, with multiple opportunities opening for women across Europe.

Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) radio station Praktorio 104.9 FM, she described how WIA-Europe has expanded across Europe and invited Greek scientists and professionals to become involved.

The professional association operates across countries and cities throughout the European Union, creating a network that allows young professionals — primarily women, but also men — to contribute to innovation.

“We can all use our diversity for innovation,” Giannopapa said, noting that companies with greater diversity among their employees have proven more effective.

Women in Aerospace expands in Greece

Giannopapa, who has also held a senior position at the European Space Agency (ESA), said Greece has significant potential to develop its aerospace sector.

WIA-Europe recently opened its Greek chapter, attracting strong interest from both women and men as well as companies seeking to participate in the wider European aerospace ecosystem.

The organisation offers scholarships and awards, organises lectures covering subjects ranging from technical issues to management and leadership, and runs programmes designed to encourage young people to consider careers in aerospace.

In countries including Spain, the organisation also holds information days in schools to introduce children to aerospace and inspire the next generation.

Giannopapa expressed optimism that the Greek chapter will similarly encourage more young people to explore opportunities in the sector.

Space technology already affects everyday life

Giannopapa stressed that space technology is not as distant from everyday life as many people assume.

While space often brings images of planetary exploration to mind, she said space infrastructure directly supports activities on Earth, including agriculture, shipping, transport, energy, security and defence.

EUSPA, established in 2021, operates EU space programme infrastructure and provides services designed to support citizens, businesses and governments while contributing to economic growth.

One of its key systems is Galileo, Europe’s satellite navigation system.

Giannopapa explained that Galileo provides positioning services similar to GPS and said it offers significantly greater accuracy than competing US, Russian and Chinese systems.

Another major pillar is Copernicus, the EU’s Earth observation programme, which provides data and services that can support responses to natural disasters, shipping and other activities.

EUSPA also helps start-ups develop products based on space technologies and data.

Greece plays a role in European space infrastructure

Giannopapa highlighted Greece’s contribution to European satellite communications through GOVSATCOM, the EU initiative for secure governmental satellite communications.

She said Greece is one of only five EU member states with its own satellite communications system, through Hellas Sat, allowing it to provide communications services to other countries.

She cited Cyprus as an example of a country that has requested services through the system, with Greece helping through the European GOVSATCOM framework.

Greece also participates in the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST) Consortium, contributing its own infrastructure to the European programme that monitors activity in orbit.

The system helps Europe understand what is happening around its satellites and protect critical space infrastructure.

Space investment delivers major economic returns

Giannopapa said the space sector ranks among the fastest-growing areas of the global economy, recording approximately 10% annual growth.

She also highlighted the economic returns from government investment in space.

On average, every €1 a government invests in the space sector generates around €6 in economic benefits, she said. The returns can be considerably higher in some areas.

Telecommunications can generate around €20 in benefits for every €1 invested, while Earth observation can return around €10.

Call for Greek women to enter aerospace

WIA-Europe promotes inclusion, diversity and innovation through scholarships, technical seminars, mentoring and networking programmes.

Giannopapa urged Greek women interested in aerospace — whether they already work in the sector or are considering entering it — to connect with the organisation.

She stressed that WIA-Europe operates through volunteering and said she herself serves as its president on a voluntary basis.

She encouraged students, young professionals, mid-career specialists and senior professionals to participate and help strengthen Greece’s role in the European space sector.

“If someone has a passion for aerospace and an interest in it, they should get involved,” Giannopapa said, encouraging potential volunteers and professionals to connect with WIA-Europe and help develop the sector further.

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