2 September 2024 - Esther Sloots
Want to meet astronauts, see spacecraft and get a glimpse behind the scenes of European space travel? Then come to ESA’s Open Day at ESTEC on Sunday 6 October from 10:00 to 17:00.
Registration is now open!
This will be ESA’s 13th annual Open Day in the Netherlands. The event will take place at the technical heart of ESA: ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre, or ESA ESTEC. This is the largest space location in Europe and the Open Day offers visitors the chance to meet space engineers and astronauts and see real space technology.
Generation Space: Shaping the Future Together
This year’s theme is in line with the theme of the Association of Space Explorers’ XXXV Planetary Congress and is ‘Generation Space: Shaping the Future Together’. As in previous years, the aim of the event is to give people a first-hand experience of the latest developments in space science with the help of scientists, engineers, astronauts and space professionals. A unique opportunity to learn all about ESA and ask questions to the experts during the Space Citizens Forum.
ESTEC: ESA’s Technical Centre
ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, is ESA’s technical centre. ESTEC is the organisation’s largest facility and has been in operation for more than half a century. At ESTEC, new ESA missions are born and new technologies are explored. Completed space missions are also evaluated here at Europe’s largest satellite testing facility.
Prominent attendees
Among the many prominent attendees will be ESA astronaut André Kuipers, NASA astronauts Bill McArthur, Jerry Ross and Anna Fisher, and Canadian astronaut Julie Payette, to name a few. Other guests include Steven Strait, aka Captain James Holden – the protagonist of the popular sci-fi series The Expanse.
Dress up as your favourite space explorer
There is no dress code, but as in previous years, ESA is inviting visitors to come dressed as their favourite space explorer. During the Open Day, all favourites will be selected for a gallery that will be published after the event.
Space Expo Visitor Centre
ESTEC’s year-round visitor centre,
Space Expo, will also be taking part in the Open Day, along with a full programme of events and talks from Space Rocks, which celebrates the arts and culture of science and space.
The full programme of attractions, events and talks will be published later this month. Registration is required to attend. Register here.
