ESOC welcomes the public for Open Day 2026

On 2 October 2026, ESA ESOC in Darmstadt welcomed thousands of visitors for Open Day, offering a rare opportunity to explore Europe's mission control centre and discover how ESA works in space and on Earth.

Throughout the day, visitors of all ages explored exhibitions, participated in hands on activities, listened in on various presentations and met the people behind ESA missions. From spacecraft operations and Earth observation to science, technology and space exploration, ESOC Open Day showcased the many ways ESA helps expand our understanding of the Universe and improve life on Earth. 

Open Day welcomed over 2,000 visitors, who enjoyed a unique opportunity to discover Europe's mission control centre and the work carried out at ESA ESOC. 

Open Day featured a wide range of activities, including: 

• Throughout the day, 260 speakers and explainers contributed to the programme, including 38 speakers on the main stage and in conference rooms, alongside experts and demonstrators at information points, exhibits, models and control rooms. Their efforts were supported by over 350 internal and external volunteers who helped bring Open Day to life.
• A standout attraction was the Main Control Room, where visitors watched the BepiColombo mission team in action as they participated in a simulation, offering a unique insight into how ESA spacecraft are operated from ESOC. Once the simulation concluded, a live DJ performance rounded off the day and provided a fun finale to Open Day. 
• Exhibitions and activities were spread across the site, with contributions from local observatories, planetariums, industry partners, educational organisations, and exhibitors from across the space sector, offering hands-on experiences for visitors of all ages. Among the highlights was a meticulously crafted brick model of the Main Control Room, showcasing the heart of ESA spacecraft operations.  
• At the Conference Centre, visitors enjoyed talks on four different space operations topics, while a dedicated children's stage and interactive activities helped younger visitors discover the excitement of space exploration. 
• The popular ESA mascots Paxi & the Hera dinosaur as well as mascots from Europa-Park also made appearances across the site, meeting visitors, posing for photos and adding to the festive atmosphere. 
• Visitors were also able to explore a special Pokémon exhibition and discover exclusive space-themed merchandise at the ESA Space Shop. 
• Children and families took part in a packed programme of activities, including building and launching model rockets, exploring virtual reality experiences, testing their knowledge in quizzes, watching Paxi videos, and discovering space through interactive exhibits and hands-on challenges. 
• And so much more! 

A key focus of Open Day was inspiring future scientists, engineers and explorers. Young visitors were able to discover different career paths in the space sector and meet the people who help make ESA missions possible. 

Families and space enthusiasts travelled from across the region to take part in the celebrations and experience ESA firsthand.