N° 65–2026: Media Invitation: Europa-Park Science Days on 22-24 October 2026
16 October 2026
Media representatives are invited to attend the Europa-Park Science Days, in particular on Thursday, 22 October, in Rust, southwestern Germany. As part of the overall events, journalists will have the opportunity to interview German ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst and leading ESA experts in satellite operations, asteroid science, robotics, climate observation and space tech innovation.
Organised in partnership with Europa-Park, Science Days will bring together ESA specialists for a series of presentations, discussions and media opportunities highlighting Europe's activities in space exploration, climate monitoring, technology development and planetary research.
The Science Days form part of the growing cooperation between ESA and Europa-Park, aimed at inspiring young people and families through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), while bringing the fascination of European space activities closer to the public.
Media rundown and highlights on Thursday, 22 October
11:30 – Europa-Park opening for Media, Check-in
12:00 – keynote presentation by Alexander Gerst, German ESA astronaut and former International Space Station Commander, in Berlin Ballroom.
13:00 - Q & A session with the astronaut with children – journalists may ask questions too
13:30 - short, individual interviews with ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, in the presence of other ESA officials such as Simon Plum, ESA Head of Mission Operations Dept., Deputy Head of the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany
14:30 - guided tour with astronaut Alexander Gerst, with Media, and photo opportunities at the ESA Stand.
- Visit of further Science Days stands and activities.
- STEM promotion and student awards ceremony.
- Background discussions and networking opportunities with ESA experts and guests
Further keynote contributions from ESA at the Science Days will include:
- Dietmar Pilz, ESA Director of Technology, Engineering and Quality, Head of the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, Netherlands
- Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration, Head of the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany
- Ian Carnelli, ESA Head of the Systems Department, Artificial Intelligence lead expert.
16:00 - Europa-Park – ESA Media activities ending for 22 October. More details upon request.
Additional ESA activities on 22 – 24 October at Europa-Park
Throughout the event, the ESA stand will feature:
- Hera and Argonaut virtual reality experiences
- Mini Mars rover demonstrations
- Interactive touch tables featuring Earth observation, launchers and ESA multimedia content
- Hera 1:4 model
- Giant inflatable astronauts
- LEGO Mindstorms robotics activities
- ESA's educational mascot Paxi
Media Accreditation
Media representatives wishing to attend are kindly requested to register by Wednesday, 21 October the latest under: presse@europapark.de
Media Contacts
ESA Media Relations : Bernhard von Weyhe: bernhard.von.weyhe@esa.int
Europa-Park - Venue / check-in
Europa-Park-Straße 2, 77977 Rust, Germany
Media contact
Juliana Kappus juliana.kappus@europapark.de
Tel. +49-7822-77-14141
Images
ESA's Photo Library for Professionals: https://www.esa-photolibrary.com/
Terms and conditions for using ESA images: www.esa.int/spaceinimages/ESA_Multimedia/Copyright_Notice_Images
For questions or more information related to ESA images, please contact directly spaceinimages@esa.int
Videos
ESA's Video Library for Professionals: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos
Terms and conditions for using ESA video: www.esa.int/spaceinimages/ESA_Multimedia/Copyright_Notice_Images
For questions or more information related to ESA videos, please contact directly spaceinvideos@esa.int
Social Media
Follow ESA on:
- X: @esa
- Bluesky: @esa
- LinkedIn: @ESA
- Facebook: @EuropeanSpaceAgency
- Instagram: @europeanspaceagency
- YouTube: ESA
About the European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members.
ESA has established formal cooperation with three Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.
By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.
Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int.
About Europa-park
About Europa-Park
Based in Rust in southern Baden-Württemberg, Europa-Park encompasses Mack family-run facilities and is a popular destination for short breaks for guests from all over the world. The Resort includes Europa-Park, Germany’s largest theme park, the Rulantica water world, the world-first restaurant Eatrenalin and the VR facility YULLBE, as well as the accommodation offering within Europa-Park Resort.
With more than 100 attractions and rides for visitors of all ages, including 14 rollercoasters, Europa-Park is a great destination for all ages and is visited by over seven million guests in 2025. This makes it the most visited seasonally opened theme park in the world.