UNICEF and space

Christopher Fabian: Spaceborne systems from ESA and others can help UNICEF understand and address information poverty and use the UNICEF Venture Fund to make this planet a better place

Long Night of the Stars

Celebrating 50 years of mission control: Browse a gallery of photos from ESOC's biggest and best-ever open house, 8 September 2017, Darmstadt, Germany

Ciao Darmstadt, Ciao ESOC!

Paolo Nespoli sends a video greeting from the International Space Station to everyone at ESA's European Space Operations Centre on the occasion of its 50th anniversary

ESOC inauguration 1967

Rare archive footage showing the inauguration of the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 50 years ago

Hello, Darmstadt?

Watch our new video: 50 years of mission control in #Darmstadt #ESOC50

Mission control timeline

1962–2017: Browse six decades of spaceflight at ESA’s mission control centre

Hipster hair

Operations image of the week: Long before #MohawkGuy, ESA’s mission control had #HipsterHair

I see you

Operations image of the week: During the first open day at ESA’s centre in Germany in 1974, one young visitor kept his eye on the camera while crowds mobbed the main control room

By the numbers

From 2 to 814 million: In 50 years, ESA's mission control centre has achieved some pretty impressive numbers

Latest News

On 8 September 2017, ESA celebrated the 50th anniversary of the ESOC mission control centre in Darmstadt, Germany.

Happy birthday ESOC: How ESA celebrated 50 years of mission control21 September 2017

Happy birthday ESOC: How ESA celebrated 50 years of mission control21 September 2017 Five decades to the day after the inauguration of ESOC, ESA's European Space Operations Centre, in Darmstadt on 8 September 1967, the centre hosted a gala open-door event dubbed 'Long Night of the Stars.' That evening, some 5000 enthusiastic visitors...

Control room at ESOC, the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, in 1969.

Happy birthday ESOC07 September 2017

Happy birthday ESOC07 September 2017 Fifty years ago tomorrow, the European Space Operations Centre was inaugurated in Darmstadt, Germany. Since then, the centre has become known worldwide as Europe’s ‘Gateway to Space’.

In 2017, ESA celebrates 50 years of mission operations at ESOC in Darmstadt #ESOC50

Long Night of the Stars: ESA open doors in Darmstadt18 August 2017

Long Night of the Stars: ESA open doors in Darmstadt18 August 2017 On Friday, 8 September, ESA’s Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt will open its doors for only the third time in its 50-year history. This time, we're celebrating with a very special event: the Long Night of the Stars.

Brief history of ESOC17 August 2017

Brief history of ESOC17 August 2017 In 2017, ESA's European Space Operations Centre is celebrating its 50th anniversary, highlighting a rich history of achievement in space.

50 years of ESOC: Treasures from the archives10 July 2017

50 years of ESOC: Treasures from the archives10 July 2017 Since 1975, the ESA Bulletin has been the go-to journal for anyone wishing to stay up-to-date on activities, developments and missions across all branches of ESA.