Media Invitation: Europa-Park Science Days on 22-24 October 2026

Media representatives are invited to attend the Europa-Park Science Days, in particular on Thursday, 22 October, in Rust, southwestern Germany. As part of the overall events, journalists will have the opportunity to interview German ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst and leading ESA experts in satellite operations, asteroid science, robotics, climate observation and space tech innovation.

Organised in partnership with Europa-Park, Science Days will bring together ESA specialists for a series of presentations, discussions and media opportunities highlighting Europe's activities in space exploration, climate monitoring, technology development and planetary research.

The Science Days form part of the growing cooperation between ESA and Europa-Park, aimed at inspiring young people and families through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), while bringing the fascination of European space activities closer to the public.

Media rundown and highlights on Thursday, 22 October

11:30 - Europa-Park opening for Media, Check-in

12:00 - keynote presentation by Alexander Gerst, German ESA astronaut and former International Space Station Commander, in Berlin Ballroom.

13:00 - Q & A session with the astronaut with children - journalists may ask questions too

13:30 - short, individual interviews with ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, in the presence of other ESA officials such as Simon Plum, ESA Head of Mission Operations Dept., Deputy Head of the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany

14:30 - guided tour with astronaut Alexander Gerst, with Media, and photo opportunities at the ESA Stand.

• Visit of further Science Days stands and activities.
• STEM promotion and student awards ceremony.
• Background discussions and networking opportunities with ESA experts and guests

Further keynote contributions from ESA at the Science Days will include:

• Dietmar Pilz, ESA Director of Technology, Engineering and Quality, Head of the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, Netherlands
• Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration, Head of the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany
• Ian Carnelli, ESA Head of the Systems Department, Artificial Intelligence lead expert.

16:00 - Europa-Park - ESA Media activities ending for 22 October. More details upon request.

Additional ESA activities on 22 - 24 October at Europa-Park

Throughout the event, the ESA stand will feature:

• Hera and Argonaut virtual reality experiences
• Mini Mars rover demonstrations
• Interactive touch tables featuring Earth observation, launchers and ESA multimedia content
• Hera 1:4 model
• Giant inflatable astronauts
• LEGO Mindstorms robotics activities
• ESA's educational mascot Paxi

Media Accreditation

Media representatives wishing to attend are kindly requested to register by Wednesday, 21 October the latest under: [email protected]

Media Contacts

ESA Media Relations : Bernhard von Weyhe: [email protected]

Europa-Park - Venue / check-in

Europa-Park-Straße 2, 77977 Rust, Germany

Media contact

Juliana Kappus [email protected]

[email protected]

Tel. +49-7822-77-14141

Images

ESA's Photo Library for Professionals: https://www.esa-photolibrary.com/

Terms and conditions for using ESA images: www.esa.int/spaceinimages/ESA_Multimedia/Copyright_Notice_Images

For questions or more information related to ESA images, please contact directly [email protected]

Videos

ESA's Video Library for Professionals: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos

Terms and conditions for using ESA video: www.esa.int/spaceinimages/ESA_Multimedia/Copyright_Notice_Images

For questions or more information related to ESA videos, please contact directly [email protected]

Social Media

Follow ESA on:

• X: @esa 
• Bluesky: @esa
• LinkedIn: @ESA
• Facebook: @EuropeanSpaceAgency
• Instagram: @europeanspaceagency
• YouTube: ESA

About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe's gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members.

ESA has established formal cooperation with three Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.

Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int.