George A Danos (Greek: Γιώργος Α Δανός) is a Cypriot space scientist, space diplomat, engineer, astronomer, entrepreneur and science communicator. He is a graduate and eminent alumnus[1][2] of Imperial College London. He is the President of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO) and the President of the Parallel Parliament for Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Cyprus.

George A Danos
Danos, standing in front of the earthbound twin of the Mars 3 spacecraft
Born
Cyprus
Occupation(s)President, Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO)
OrganizationCyprus Space Exploration Organisation
Known forSpace Exploration, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

He is Honorary Member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), in recognition to his significant contributions to the progress of astronomy, and Vice-chair of the international Committee on Space Research Panel on Innovative Solutions.

He led several societies, groups, companies and organisations in the UK, Cyprus, Ireland, and in Europe and internationally.[3]

Early career edit

Whilst a student, he was President of the Imperial College Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (IC-SEDS) and Board Member of UK-SEDS.[4][1][5]

Whilst aged 27, he became Founder and Chief Technical Officer of Virgin Biznet, one of the most lucrative business ventures of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, after pitching at the “House” of Richard Branson.[6][7][4][3]

In 1996 he was part of the team that brought Virgin Radio's broadcast to the internet, making it the first European radio station to simulcast their live program 24-hours a day on the internet.[8][9][10][11]

Space exploration career edit

Space exploration in Cyprus edit

In 2013 he was elected President of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO), a position he continues to hold.[12]

As President of CSEO, he led the national campaign that saw Cyprus join the European Space Agency, as a PECS Member.[13]

He mentored and nurtured the local space community of Cyprus that saw notable achievements and multiple awards won by many teams of CSEO, and brokered many international agreements with international synergies and space research projects.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]

Involvement in international space exploration edit

He is Council Member – the highest governing body[26] – of the international Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). In October 2020, he was appointed as Vice-chair of COSPAR's Panel on Innovative Solutions (PoIS)[27] (see below for details in this role).

He is representing the Republic of Cyprus to the Global Experts Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA).[28]

He is the official representative of Cyprus to COSPAR [29] and as President of CSEO – the National Member to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) – he is also the official representative of Cyprus to the IAU.[30] He is also the official representative of CSEO to the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).[31][4]

He serves as Chair of the Analogue Working Group[32] of the Moon Village Association (MVA) and as Middle East & Africa Regional Coordinator for the MVA.[33]

During the 70th International Astronautical Congress held in Washington, D.C., as a panelist of the "Martian and Lunar Analogues"[3] Global Networking Forum, he announced the International Moon Analogue Consortium.[34][35]

EASTRO - Contribution to European Space Policy and Institutional Activities edit

He is Executive Board Member for Communication of the European Association of Space Technology Research Organisations (EASTRO), which represents Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) with Space activities in Europe towards the ESA, the European Commission and other major Institutional and Industrial stakeholders in Europe and the World. Its member institutes have more than 65,000 employees, with a combined turnover of more than 7,000 M€, and contribute to all areas of space in Europe, from advanced structures, satellite sub-systems and instruments to quantum technologies and the utilisation of remote sensing data for climate change analysis with the objective to create innovations with impact on societal goals with economic impact.[36]

COSPAR - Artificial Intelligence and Space Weather prediction edit

As vice-chair of the COSPAR Panel on Innovative Solutions (PoIS) he managed the creation of the Space Innovation Lab of COSPAR, bridging the science of space weather with the engineering tools of artificial intelligence, analyzing space weather data and potentially predicting dangerous storms heading towards our planet and raising a warning alarm if needed.[37]

During the 44th COSPAR General Assembly in July 2022, as Main Scientific Organizer (MSO) of the PoIS.2 panel session,[38] he led the effort of bridging global industry and scientific community, towards the above goals.

Science communicator edit

He is a science communicator[39][40] and advocate of solar system and space exploration.

He gave many presentations worldwide, including a TEDx talk, and he is the presenter[41] of the "2030: SpaceWorks" global webinars, with a viewership of over 80,000 people[42] worldwide.[43][44][12][45][46][47][48][25][49][50]

Parallel Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus edit

He served for one year (Nov 2019 - Oct 2020) as Dean and M.P. of the Parallel Parliament for Research, Innovation and Digital Governance of the Republic of Cyprus.[51][52]

In October 2020, he was elected President of the Parallel Parliament for Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Cyprus.[53][54]

Recognitions and awards edit

Recognition: Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) edit

In recognition of his contributions and achievements in promoting astronautics and space exploration he was elected Corresponding Member and Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics.[55][56]

Recognition: Honorary Member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) edit

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) selected him as Honorary Member of the IAU, in recognition to his significant contributions to the progress of astronomy, including leading campaigns that saw Cyprus join ESA, the IAU and COSPAR, as well as establishing the Cyprus Space Centre and helping Cyprus be selected as an International Astronomy Education Centre of the IAU Office for Astronomy Education (OAE).[57][58]

Award: Ambassador of Hellenic Culture of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture (HFC) edit

The Hellenic Foundation for Culture of the Hellenic Republic awarded him as Ambassador of Hellenic Culture, in recognition to his international contribution to the advancement and promotion of space sciences, for his international successes, and for representing the Greek Spirit, Language and Culture.[59][60][61]

Notable positions edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "George Danos". Imperial College London. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  2. ^ "Eminent alumni | About | Imperial College London". www.imperial.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 2015-12-13. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  3. ^ a b c "Thursday: Grand Ballroom C 11:30 – 12:15 Martian and Lunar Analogs | Iaf". www.iafastro.org. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  4. ^ a b c "George A Danos". InnovaSpace. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  5. ^ "Past Committees". UKSEDS. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
  6. ^ Panayides, Theo. "The final frontier | Cyprus Mail". cyprus-mail.com/. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  7. ^ "George Danos | TEDx University of Nicosia". Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  8. ^ "Live Radio". 1998-02-24. Archived from the original on 1998-02-24. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  9. ^ says, Farewell One Golden Square | adambowie com. "A Brief History of Virgin Radio – adambowie.com". Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  10. ^ "Virgin Radio History: Broadcasting With Branson by Radio Fidelity". Radio Fidelity. 2019-10-31. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  11. ^ "Webcasting & streaming (history)". 2010-07-13. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  12. ^ a b "COSPAR Roundtable of Space Agency Leaders". www.spaceexploration.org.cy. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  13. ^ "Cyprus signs agreement with European Space Agency". Alpha TV. 8 July 2016.
  14. ^ "Γ. Δανός: Οι Κύπριοι που εξερευνούν το Διάστημα, η δράση του CSEO, ο "Ζαβός" και η "Μούττη" (Φωτος)". Newsbomb.com.cy (in Greek). 2019-02-17. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  15. ^ "Γιώργος Δανός: Η Κύπρος μπαίνει δυναμικά στο παιχνίδι του Διαστήματος". Philenews (in Greek). Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  16. ^ "Tο άστρο και ο εξωπλανήτης της Κύπρου - Ποια τα ονόματα τους;". euronews (in Greek). 2019-12-17. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  17. ^ "Μέλος του Mars Society η Κύπρος". Stockwatch - Παράθυρο στην Οικονομία (in Greek). 2020-01-27. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  18. ^ Φωνή. "Γ. Δανός: Πολλά τα οφέλη για Κύπριους ερευνητές του διαστήματος από συμφωνία CSEO και MVA". Η ΦΩΝΗ ΤΗΣ ΛΕΜΕΣΟΥ (in Greek). Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  19. ^ "Cyprus Canada space cooperation agreement". www.spaceexploration.org.cy. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  20. ^ "The Mars Upper Atmosphere Network (MUAN) selects Nicosia Cyprus as its permanent base". www.spaceexploration.org.cy. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  21. ^ Agency, Source: Cyprus News. "The sky is not the limit says space chief | Cyprus Mail". cyprus-mail.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  22. ^ Agency, Source: Cyprus News. "Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation forms partnership with Moon Village Association | Cyprus Mail". cyprus-mail.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  23. ^ "NASA's chief scientist to come to Cyprus". in-cyprus.philenews.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  24. ^ "Cyprus schools connect with ESA astronaut for first time". Parikiaki. 2016-09-24. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  25. ^ a b "CSEO eyes role in endeavour to return to the moon". in-cyprus.philenews.com. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  26. ^ "Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) » Council". cosparhq.cnes.fr. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  27. ^ "Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) » Panel on Innovative Solutions (PoIS)". cosparhq.cnes.fr. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  28. ^ "GEGSLA Team – Moon Village Association". Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  29. ^ "Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) » National Scientific Institutions". cosparhq.cnes.fr. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  30. ^ "Cyprus joins the International Astronomical Union (IAU)". www.spaceexploration.org.cy. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  31. ^ Federation, International Astronautical. "IAF : George DANOS". www.iafastro.org. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  32. ^ "Exploration Analogues – Moon Village Association". moonvillageassociation.org. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  33. ^ "Global Network – Moon Village Association". moonvillageassociation.org. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  34. ^ "MVA Analogues WG - Highlights and Outcomes - 2018-2019" (PDF). Moon Village Analogues Working Group Report. 21 May 2020.
  35. ^ "IAF Highlights 2019" (PDF). IAF Highlights: 45.
  36. ^ "About Us – EASTRO". Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  37. ^ Οι φορές που η Γη χτυπήθηκε από ηλιακή καταιγίδα και το αποτύπωμα που άφησε, retrieved 2022-09-08
  38. ^ "COSPAR-22-POIS.2: Mars Atmospheric Modeling Using Sparse and Disparate Data". www.cospar-assembly.org. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
  39. ^ Shkurko, Jonathan. "Cyprus names exoplanet and star Onasilos and Alasia | Cyprus Mail". cyprus-mail.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  40. ^ "The Junior and Senior School - Year 5 Newsletter". Year 5 Newsletter.
  41. ^ 2030: SpaceWorks Webinar - with Sir Roger Penrose https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kostAu-GRuA
  42. ^ Black Holes: Looking glass to before the Big Bang?!, retrieved 2020-09-17
  43. ^ apopseis (2017-12-15). "Η Κύπρος στο Διάστημα: Ο πρόεδρος του CSEO Γιώργος Δανός και τα πλάνα του Οργανισμού". Apopseis (in Greek). Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  44. ^ "CSEO Presentation & Christmas Party | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  45. ^ "TEDx talk of CSEO's President George A. Danos". www.spaceexploration.org.cy. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  46. ^ "Speakers: George A. Danos". vkcyprusinvest.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  47. ^ "Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation to Participate in First Mission to Direct an Asteroid". www.goldnews.com.cy. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  48. ^ "GOVERNANCE OF GLOBAL MOON EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT: EPISODE 2, Aug 6, 2020, virtual, 10:30 am-12:00 pm ET (4:30-6:00 pm CEST)". Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  49. ^ "Sir Penrose to talk to CSEO audience in first out of a series of live webinars to launch today". in-cyprus.philenews.com. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  50. ^ "CSEO - 2030: SpaceWorks". www.space.org.cy. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  51. ^ "ΠΑΡΑΛΛΗΛΗ ΒΟΥΛΗΒΟΥΛΗ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΡΕΥΝΑ, ΤΗΝ ΚΑΙΝΟΤΟΜΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΝ ΨΗΦΙΑΚΗ ΔΙΑΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΗ - ΣΥΝΘΕΣΗ ΠΡΟΕΔΡΙΑΣ" (PDF).
  52. ^ "Παράλληλη Βουλή για την Έρευνα, Καινοτομία και Ψηφιακή Διακυβέρνηση". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  53. ^ "George A Danos". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  54. ^ "Parliament Of Cyprus". www.parliament.cy. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  55. ^ "Πέντε λεπτά με τον Γιώργο Α. Δανό". Philenews (in Greek). Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  56. ^ Φωνή. "Ο αστροναύτης Νέσπολι ανακηρύχθηκε Επίτιμος Πρεσβευτής του Κυπριακού Οργανισμού Εξερεύνησης Διαστήματος". Η ΦΩΝΗ ΤΗΣ ΛΕΜΕΣΟΥ (in Greek). Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  57. ^ "International Astronomical Union | IAU". www.iau.org. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  58. ^ "Honorary Members of the IAU - George A Danos" (PDF). International Astronomical Union (IAU).
  59. ^ "«Πολιτισμός & Διάστημα»: Ανοικτή εκδήλωση στο ΕΙΠ | Ελληνικό Ίδρυμα Πολιτισμού" (in Greek). 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  60. ^ "Επτά προσωπικότητες από την Κύπρο τίμησε το Ελληνικό Ιδρυμα Πολιτισμού". Dialogos Media Group. 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  61. ^ "Βράβευση Κυπρίων προσωπικοτήτων στο πλαίσιο των εγκαινίων της 19ης Διεθνούς Έκθεσης Βιβλίου Θεσσαλονίκης". ΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ. Retrieved 2023-08-16.