ESA Open Days 2024: a year-long journey across Europe
In 2024, the European Space Agency opened its doors to the public across its various European establishments like never before. Throughout the year, a variety of Open Days welcomed thousands of curious minds into the heart of ESA’s cutting-edge locations in Italy, the UK, France and the Netherlands. The events offered a unique opportunity for the public to discover ESA's activities, meet experts and astronauts, and experience interactive displays and demonstrations. While showcasing ESA’s commitment to space exploration and scientific discovery, the 2024 Open Days once again stood out as a powerful platform sparking curiosity about space for a diverse, Europe-wide community of space enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds.
Here’s a wrap-up of the highlights from each ESA establishment.
ESA Headquarters (Paris): ‘Rencontres en Apesanteur’ conferences
ESA’s Headquarters in Paris opened its doors for the first time ever to the public, hosting a new series of conferences called Rencontres en apESAnteur (Encounters in Weightlessness). The initiative offered a rare opportunity for space enthusiasts, researchers and the general public to discover ESA's activities and engage with ESA experts and astronauts. The first event, held on 26 April, focused on Europe's role in human spaceflight, while the second, on 20 September, centered on planetary defense, highlighting ESA's Hera mission and the agency’s efforts to protect Earth from space hazards.
Discover more about the ‘Rencontres en Apesanteur’ conferences.
ECSAT (Harwell Campus, UK): a first at the Harwell Open Week
On 29 June, thousands of visitors flocked to ESA’s establishment in the UK to experience first-hand how the agency is pushing the boundaries of exploration and using space to improve life on Earth. As part of the Harwell Open Week, this was ESA’s very first open day to be held at its European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT), at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. Over 20 000 visitors were able to enjoy a variety of talks, exhibits and hands-on activities, with a focus on climate monitoring, 5G/6G technologies, and international cooperation. ESA astronauts Rosemary Coogan and Meganne Christian were present, inspiring audiences with stories of their training and missions.
ESRIN (Frascati, Italy): a night to celebrate the European Researchers' Night
As in previous years, ESA’s ESRIN centre in Frascati celebrated the European Researchers' Night, hosting its annual Open Day on September 27, which this year drew around 2 000 visitors. With engaging activities like rover demonstrations, interactive games, and meteorite exhibits, ESRIN offered a family-friendly atmosphere for visitors to explore space-related science. Anthea Comellini and Andrea Patassa, members of the ESA Astronaut Class, were also present to share their insights as astronauts with the public and engage with visitors. The lineup of activities also featured the Phi Experience and an Earth Observation centre tour, giving attendees a glimpse into ESA’s missions and projects in the field of Earth Observation.
ESTEC (Netherlands): a journey into space open to all
ESA’s largest Open Day event unfolded at ESTEC in the Netherlands, on 5 and 6 October, drawing an impressive 12 000 attendees. While the first day was dedicated to visitors with a disability, underscoring ESA’s commitment to accessibility, ESA welcomed the general public on 6 October. Under the themed “Generation Space: Shaping the Future Together,” the event featured over 50 activities, including the ESA careers booth, Space Citizen Forum, and talks by international astronauts. Highlights included astronaut autograph sessions, space exploration models, virtual reality (VR) experiences, and an interactive Space Expo, capturing the essence of space exploration and ESA’s plans for the future. Additionally, more than 40 Dutch space companies showcased their innovations at the NL Space tent, organised by the Netherlands Space Office (NSO).
