What does it take to become part of an international space mission, and how far can determination and a multidisciplinary background take you?
Fadi Kanaan is the first Lebanese selected for Asclepios VII, an international, student-led analogue space mission based in Switzerland, and the only Arab among its nine selected crew members. Chosen from approximately 400 applicants worldwide, his selection marks a significant milestone for Lebanon and the American University of Beirut, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 2019.
His journey, however, extends far beyond this achievement. With a Master's degree in Security and Crime Science from University College London and professional experience spanning international organizations, security research, and artificial intelligence, Kanaan has built a career across fields that may seem far removed from space exploration.
In this episode, we sit down with Fadi to discuss the motivation behind his application, the demanding physical and psychological selection process, and the experiences that prepared him to take on this challenge. He also shares what lies ahead during a year of intensive preparation, including firefighting, extreme-environment training, and zero-gravity flight experiences, leading up to the Asclepios VII isolation mission in summer 2027.
We also explore the growing intersection between artificial intelligence and space exploration, the role of autonomous systems in future missions, and the importance of decision-making under pressure.
Beyond the mission itself, Fadi reflects on what representing Lebanon and AUB means to him, and how his journey can encourage more young Lebanese to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and fields they may have never imagined themselves entering.
