Cyprus is playing a role in Nasa’s historic Artemis mission, with local research helping address health challenges faced by astronauts, the president of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO), George Danos, said; carried out in collaboration with the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, a partner of the International Space Research and Innovation Centre.

Danos highlighted that Cyprus’ involvement underscores its growing contribution to international space research, particularly in areas linked to human health in space.

Danos described the mission as “a historic moment for all humanity”, marking a return to the Moon more than 50 years after previous missions. He clarified that the current mission does not involve a landing, but rather a journey around the Moon.

“Although we will not set foot on the Moon this time, we are preparing to land with the Artemis 4 mission, with the aim of creating bases,” he said. “We are not returning simply for a ‘visit’ or to collect samples – we are going back to stay and to carry out research and technological studies.”

The astronauts, who launched in the early hours of Thursday local time, will spend two days orbiting Earth before embarking on a four-day journey to the Moon, reaching “the farthest point ever travelled by humans”, Danos said.

They will then make a four-day return journey before re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.

The mission is commanded by Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman, with Victor Glover as pilot – the first black astronaut to travel into deep space – mission specialist Christina Koch, the first woman to travel around the Moon, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

Danos said Cyprus has a “significant role” in the mission, particularly in research on astronaut health. He noted that in October 2024 Cyprus co-signed the Artemis Accords with the United States, where he serves as a representative.

The CSEO has also signed multiple agreements, including with Nasa and Lockheed Martin, and is currently collaborating with them on studies related to astronaut health.

He stressed that future lunar bases will require protection of astronauts from solar radiation, microgravity and other health risks.

“As the International Space Research and Innovation Centre, a centre of excellence of COSPAR, we are producing very important work in cooperation with Nasa,” he said.

“We have identified specific health problems faced by astronauts and have already provided solutions through specialised pharmaceutical treatments, developed by our partner organisation, the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics.”

He added that these treatments could also have applications on Earth, helping to address other diseases.

“The research being carried out has produced excellent results that make our country proud, and in humanity’s return to the Moon we also have an important role,” he said.

Danos expressed hope that the collaboration with Nasa would benefit both the Artemis programme and Cyprus, noting that the space sector is expected to generate revenues of $1 trillion by the end of the decade.

“It is of significant geopolitical and geostrategic importance. Cyprus has a very important role in this programme, especially given current global developments,” he said.

Danos also highlighted the importance of the mission in exploring potential resources on the Moon.

“We will examine whether the Moon has resources that we need on Earth, so we can stop damaging our green, living planet,” he said.

He pointed to materials such as lithium, used in batteries, as an example of resources that could support renewable energy development. “Instead of destroying our forests and harming our planet, if these resources are available on the Moon and can be brought to Earth, we could help preserve our planet. This is an additional objective,” he said.