ESA Open Days 2023: a chance to meet the European Space Agency
In recent weeks, more than 15 000 visitors, including students, families, and curious minds of all ages, gathered at three of ESA’s establishments for the 2023 edition of ESA Open Days. This Europe-wide series of events provided a unique opportunity for European citizens to get to know the European Space Agency and discover the wide range of its activities.
The 2023 edition of ESA Open Days recently ended, having provided around 15 000 visitors with unforgettable days filled with discoveries, inspiration, and all kinds of space-related scientific knowledge. Three of ESA’s establishments opened their doors to the public, offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity for European citizens to meet up with ESA experts and to get to know the European Space Agency, while delving into the mysteries of the Universe.
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said “Bringing together thousands of attendees of all backgrounds and ages from across Europe, ESA Open Days has once again proven to be an invaluable platform for connecting with the public and igniting their curiosity and knowledge about STEM and space. Public outreach is an invaluable tool for ESA with immeasurable ripple effects, the likes of which will inspire future scientists, engineers, and astronauts who will carry on the torch of European space activities for generations to come, with ESA Open Days as core memories”.
The first ESA Open Day was held in ESRIN (Italy) on 29 September, followed by ESTEC (The Netherlands) on 7 and 8 October, and finally ESAC (Spain) on 21 October.
Visitors had the chance to meet ESA astronauts and experts in person to discover how ESA’s programmes and missions contribute to the exploration and understanding of our planet and the Universe beyond. With a mix of educational and inspirational elements, on-site events offered a diverse range of activities, including engaging tours, hands-on activities for children, and opportunities to interact with science communicators.
The ESA Open Days also provided an opportunity to introduce visitors to Discover ESA Live, a new “edutainment” tool for schools, developed to disseminate ESA's activities through interactive streaming sessions and gamified e-learning modules.
This Europe-wide series of events was a true celebration of human knowledge about space, with a special focus on the pivotal role played by the European Space Agency in advancing scientific knowledge in the field of space exploration.
The ESA Open Days also represent a valuable platform to communicate to the public, alongside ESA Member States, the achievements in European space endeavours. Additionally, they provide an opportunity to outline the national contributions towards future milestones and ambitions, pursued in close collaboration with National Space Agencies, industry and academia.
The 2023 edition of ESA Open Days was organised in close collaboration with the national space agencies of the respective Member States (NSO for The Netherlands, ASI for Italy and the AEE for Spain). The active participation of delegates has indeed become an important aspect of these annual events. Year after year, their presence underlines and confirms the pursuing commitment of the European Space Agency and its Member States to supporting and fostering a collaborative approach to space activities across Europe.
