The front gates of ESA’s technical heart in the Netherlands, set to be thrown open to the European public on Sunday 2 October.
In place for more than half a century, the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk on the North Sea coast is ESA’s largest establishment, focused on developing technology, planning missions and testing satellites.
A full-scale model of the ERS-1 Earth-observing satellite, launched in 1991, is placed to the right.
October’s annual ESTEC Open Day will be your chance to explore the sprawling facility, meet astronauts, scientists and mission designers and see special exhibits and actual space hardware.
This annual event takes place as part of the Netherlands’ national Weekend of Science, as well as World Space Week.
All visitors must book to gain entry on the Open Day. To register, click here.