George DANOS

Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO)President; President - Parallel Parliament for Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Cyprus; Vice-Chair - Panel on Innovative Solutions (PoIS), COSPAR

Space scientist, entrepreneur and science communicator. Recognised Eminent Alumnus of Imperial College London and Honorary Member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Pre-eminent space personality of Cyprus who has dedicated his life, promoting space research, innovation, cooperation and entrepreneurship in Cyprus and around the world.

Key Recognitions and Roles:

  • Honorary Member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), in recognition to his significant contributions to the progress of astronomy and space science.
  • Academician and elected Corresponding Member to the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA).
  • Council Member - the highest governing body - of the International Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).
  • Vice-Chair of COSPAR's Panel on Innovative Solutions (PoIS).
  • Former Dean, Parallel Parliament for Research and Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus.
  • Former Chair, Moon Analogues Working Group, Moon Village Association (MVA).
  • Former Regional Coordinator, Middle East North Africa (MENA), Moon Village Association (MVA).
  • Creator and Founder of Virgin BizNet, one of most lucrative business ventures of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group – whilst aged 27, after pitching at the "House" of Richard Branson.

As Vice-Chair of COSPAR's Panel on Innovative Solutions (PoIS) he currently leads the effort to utilise artificial intelligence in analysing space weather data, to enhance space weather modelling and potentially contribute to the understanding of climate change.

As Founder and President of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation, since 2013, he formulated and led space research projects, nurtured the domestic space community (seeing multiple awards won by teams of CSEO), enhanced the space industry, formulated new planetary exploration missions, and built synergies for Cyprus in space research projects.

He led the national campaign that saw Cyprus join the European Space Agency (ESA), as a PECS Member. He also led the accession of Cyprus (via CSEO) to the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the Copernicus Academy Network of the EU Commission, the Moon Village Association (MVA), and Mars Society.

In 2020, he led the proposal of CSEO to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Office for Astronomy Education (OAE) that saw the selection of Cyprus as home of an International Astronomy Education Centre of the IAU.

Chaired many international groups, panels, summits, and symposia, that facilitated international space collaboration and diplomacy. Brokered international agreements, such as the high-level international agreement to consolidate global scientific efforts relating to Mars space-missions and atmospheric data, selecting Nicosia as permanent base for the Mars Upper Atmosphere Network (MUAN). Chaired the First Online Global Moon Village Workshop and Symposium, that facilitated international space diplomacy leading to the creation of the Global Experts Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA), encompassing the participation of all major space faring nations. As Chair of the Moon Analogues Working-Group, he brokered and announced at the 70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) Washington-DC, the "International Moon Analogue Consortium".

He is also the coordinator of CSEO's global webinars, featuring prominent scientists, heads of space agencies and Nobel Laureates, reaching monthly 3½ million people worldwide, making space more approachable to the wider public.

Events

International Astronautical Congress 2019

21-25 October 2019

Washington, United States

Participation: