![](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2016\/08\/gates_of_estec\/16097739-1-eng-GB\/Gates_of_ESTEC_small.jpg\")
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\nThe front gates of ESA\u2019s technical heart in the Netherlands, set to be thrown open to the European public on Sunday 2 October.\n<\/p>\n
\nIn place for more than half a century, the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC<\/a>) in Noordwijk on the North Sea coast is ESA\u2019s largest establishment, focused on developing technology, planning missions and testing satellites.\n<\/p>\n \nA full-scale model of the ERS-1<\/a> Earth-observing satellite, launched in 1991, is placed to the right.\n<\/p>\n \nOctober\u2019s annual ESTEC Open Day<\/a> will be your chance to explore the sprawling facility, meet astronauts, scientists and mission designers and see special exhibits and actual space hardware.\n<\/p>\n \nThis annual event takes place as part of the Netherlands\u2019 national Weekend of Science<\/a>, as well as World Space Week.\n<\/p>\n \nAll visitors must book to gain entry on the Open Day. To register, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \nThe front gates of ESA’s technical heart in the Netherlands, set to be thrown open to the European public on Sunday 2 October.\n<\/p>\n \nIn place for more than half a century, the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC<\/a>) in Noordwijk on the North Sea coast is ESA’s largest establishment, focused on developing technology, planning missions and testing satellites.\n<\/p>\n \nA full-scale model of the ERS-1<\/a> Earth-observing satellite, launched in 1991, is placed to the right.\n<\/p>\n \nOctober’s annual ESTEC Open Day<\/a> will be your chance to explore the sprawling facility, meet astronauts, scientists and mission designers and see special exhibits and actual space hardware.\n<\/p>\n \nThis annual event takes place as part of the Netherlands’ national Weekend of Science<\/a>, as well as World Space Week.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n