There is no person who does not get ecstatic to hear stories of space, the difficulties that science is facing today in the possibility of colonizing the Moon and Mars, the challenges that the astronaut will have to face during his many-month space journey to Mars.

In a scientific two-day event organized by the Foundation of the Hellenic Parliament at the Park of National Reconciliation, in the Meadows of Kotyli in Grammos, with the theme “The stars in the Park”, important stories were heard from the great adventure of conquering space, the dangers that lie in wait for the astronauts even as they carry out the established tasks outside the space station, but also the dangers they will face when they need to work on the surface of the Moon, setting up the first settlement bases that will be used for the manned mission to the planet Mars .

Among great Greek space scientists, such as Stamatis Krimizis and Thanasis Oikonomou, were Adrianos Golemis, doctor at the MEDES Institute, of the European Astronaut Center (EAC), partner of the European Space Center (ESA) and astronaut candidate, who, on the sidelines of the day’s work, spoke to APE-MPE about the systematic control and preparation of astronauts for their stay on the International Space Station.

Pre-launch preparation

Adrianos Golemis during this period closely monitors and medically prepares the mission of a European Astronaut to the International Space Station.

“I’ve been the astronaut’s doctor for two weeks now Marcus Van, this is about a Swede, who will go into space six months from today. We are talking about a shorter mission than usual, but with significant research interest”, said Mr. Golemis, explaining that this particular mission is a collaboration between ESA and a private company. “These partnerships with the private sector can also offer opportunities to smaller countries like Greece,” he pointed out, noting that the space sector is “opening up” with more missions and “I’m happy to help Markus carry out his mission properly ».

THE preparation an astronaut’s health is one of the most important parts of the mission. The place of space is terribly inhospitable and the goal of the doctors, like Andrianos Golemis, is to minimize or eliminate the possibility of getting sick or something happening to the astronaut who is thousands of kilometers away from the earth. “Therefore, the preparation starts a year and a half before the mission, with repeated medical tests, to see the health status of the astronaut.” Based on the genetic map of the astronaut and shortly before the mission, the doctor proceeds to prepare personalized medicineswhich the astronaut will have with him during his stay on the space station.

Mr. Golemis points out that part of the program concerns the astronaut’s medical training since during their stay on the space station “they will need to become their own doctorsto monitor the indicators from the basic functions of their body and with the help they will have from the earth to intervene where necessary”.

The astronaut’s quarantine three weeks before the flight it is a first big test for both him and his personal doctor. “We move to Houston and remain isolated from any kind of contact with third parties, constantly repeating medical tests and examinations. Our goal is to ensure that no virus is transferred to the Space Station.”

Just before the flight, for precautionary reasons the astronaut will receive medication for nausea, vomiting and disorientation which will be caused to the body in the first hours that it will be in conditions of weightlessness.

Adrianos Golemis talks about the emotion he feels every time he is present at the launch of the rockets that carry astronauts to the space station. “The emotions are many and intense, when you see the rocket lift off the ground knowing that at the end of the boat is someone who you have lived with and tired for 1.5 years to be able to do this mission.”

Remote monitoring in space

The Space Station is a multi-national achievement from USA, Russia, Europe, Japan, Canada and permanently hosts astronauts from at least four countries. Communication and consent are the most important elements for the smooth coexistence of astronauts on the station roofs, even when there is a health issue. For example, the treatment of an astronaut’s health problem may be the responsibility of the staff physician, but the medication to be administered will need to be widely discussed with the medical team of the host countries and the other astronauts.

Mr. Golemis explains that “once a weekevery Thursday, takes place teleconference of the medical team of the five space agencies operating the Space Station, where we also discuss the treatment of health emergencies, the type of medication, etc.” The health report must be detailed and, in addition to the diagnosis and the medicinal substance to be administered, also include the expected results per time period. He explains to us that “the discussion is detailed and exhaustive” as, as he underlines, “each country has its own medical and pharmaceutical protocols, but in the 23 years of the space station’s life, the fermentations that have taken place have brought closer, to a common space the medicine of five different states”.

The recovery after returning to Earth

Preparing an astronaut for his return to earth is an important process and begins days before the reentry date. Mr. Golemis states that “the astronaut’s body receives a strong shock from returning to earth and we help him stand up, walk with the help of rehabilitation programs.” Even the ESA spacecraft carrying the astronaut from Houston to Europe is properly configured to “provide the best medical services to the astronaut, should the need arise.”

Adrianos Golemis is the first Greek to complete the European selection of astronauts.

From the 25,000 interested people who responded to ESA’s invitation, after tests, medical checks, examinations, etc., he managed to reach the 25 that the European Space Agency chose for astronauts and who could immediately start their training for future missions. The other countries went the next step, in cooperation contracts with ESA, which did not happen with Greece. “I remain active at Greece’s disposal, when it chooses to invest in manned space missions,” said Mr. Golemis and explained that these options are usually remunerative since the country’s participation in manned missions, “ESA, by statute reciprocates with cooperation contracts with research institutes, universities and companies in matters of space technology”.

The element of his inspiration for space and space missions was determined by two figures of international prestige in the history of Space, the Greek professors Stamatis Krimizis and Thanasis Oikonomou. Adrianos Golemis concluded by saying that “these two personalities have inspired me in everything I have achieved to date and I hope, if I manage to participate in a manned flight, to be an inspiration to the students of our schools and academic institutions” .