Opening of the workshop by the Co-chairs of the Space Group – Ana Noronha, Ciencia Viva; Marc Moutin, Cité de l’Espace; Maria Menedez, ESA; Fiorella Coliolo, Coordinator of the Space Group for ESA; and Ecsite representatives: Maria Zolontosa and Cristina Paca; ESAC, Ecsite Space Group Annual meeting 2017.