Space technology and geopolitics at the Eugenides Planetarium
On Monday, March 16, the Eugenides Foundation hosted a fascinating event as part of the KINO Athens International Independent Film Festival. Τhe New Digital Planetarium screened the documentary "Astropolitics" by Tony Silberfeld, followed by a deep dive panel discussion into the new "space race" under the auspices of the European Parliament. The film showed how space is no longer just about science; it is now a field of intense competition for strategic and commercial interests.
Dr. Denia Kanellopoulou joined the panel discussion “The Future of Great Power Competition: A Perspective from Earth to the Moon” to explain how the research community can leverage space assets as real advantages. Drawing on her professional experience at the European Space Agency (ESA), she noted that our modern world is increasingly dependent on space assets and real-time data, creating new vulnerabilities for digital sovereignty.
She explained that with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the ability to turn satellite data into actionable insights has become a true source of power. A great example is the EU Copernicus project, a "lighthouse" for leveraging Earth Observation resources. Denia highlighted the AI4Copernicus project, which NCSR Demokritos recently coordinated, showing how AI-powered applications can support social good, such as climate resilience and emergency response.
The discussion, moderated by Prof. Manolis Plionis (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), also featured experts like Dr. Anezina Solomonidou(Hellenic Space Center), Dr. Manolis Rammos (President of the Hellenic Space Center), Dr. Elena Lazarou(ELIAMEP), and filmmaker Tony Silberfeld (Bertelsmann Foundation). The event ended with a clear message: space offers amazing opportunities, but we need strong ethics and fair rules before geopolitical interests take over.
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