Recap: Visit to the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt

On 13 March 2026, our association visited the European Space Agency’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt. A group of 31 participants joined the event and gained first-hand insights into ESA’s mission operations and future space missions.

The visit began with a presentation on mission operations highlights and upcoming ESA missions by Frank Dreger, Head of the Ground Segment Systems Engineering and Innovation Department at ESOC. The talk sparked lively discussion and many thoughtful questions from the audience, reflecting the strong interest in Europe’s space activities and the work carried out at ESOC.

Following the presentation, participants joined an extended guided tour of the facilities, offering a closer look at Europe’s main mission control centre and the environment in which ESA spacecraft are monitored and operated. The tour provided many additional insights and allowed participants to continue the exchange in an informal setting.

Overall, the visit was a highly informative and inspiring experience for all participants.

We would like to thank ESA and the ESOC team for the invitation and the excellent programme.