ESA Open Day 2026 — ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada

About ESA Open Day

ESA Open Day is a public event scheduled for 3 October 2026 at ESA ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain. The 2026 ESA public event in Villanueva de la Cañada brings astronomy and planetary missions, science operations, spacecraft data and mission facilities together rather than treating them as separate subjects. The 2026 ESA public event in Villanueva de la Cañada uses a public-facing format that interprets the host site’s missions, facilities and technical work for non-specialist visitors. This format gives members of the public a practical way to compare technical priorities, current applications and the organisations active at the 2026 ESA public event in Villanueva de la Cañada. For the 2026 ESA public event in Villanueva de la Cañada, the connection between astronomy and planetary missions and science operations is central: one establishes the primary subject, while the other shows how that work is developed, tested or applied. The 2026 ESA public event in Villanueva de la Cañada also places spacecraft data beside mission facilities, making the interfaces between research, engineering, policy and delivery easier to follow.

Event history and organiser

The 2026 ESA public event in Villanueva de la Cañada forms part of a continuing event series. For the 2026 ESA public event in Villanueva de la Cañada, European Space Agency (ESA) is the organiser and publishes the information used to plan attendance. Across this series, the stable thread for the 2026 ESA public event in Villanueva de la Cañada is attention to astronomy and planetary missions, science operations and spacecraft data; dates, venues and programme details are set for each individual meeting. Continuity for the 2026 ESA public event in Villanueva de la Cañada comes from its specialist community and subject focus, not from repeating an identical agenda from one meeting to the next. The 2026 ESA public event in Villanueva de la Cañada meeting at ESA ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain gives the series a specific host-city and venue context while retaining its established professional purpose.

Topics and themes

The ESA Villanueva de la Cañada public event connects its core subjects through the public event format, showing how specialist work moves between research, engineering, policy and practical use.

• Astronomy and planetary missions: At the ESA Villanueva de la Cañada public event, this theme establishes the main technical context and links it with science operations in current projects and professional practice.
• Science operations: ESA Villanueva de la Cañada public event sessions help participants understand how science operations depends on spacecraft data, shared methods and informed technical decisions.
• Spacecraft data: The ESA Villanueva de la Cañada public event uses this subject to connect specialist evidence with mission facilities and the organisations responsible for delivery.
• Mission facilities: Work at the ESA Villanueva de la Cañada public event focuses on the constraints, methods and applications that shape mission facilities, including its relationship with public engagement with space.

Who should attend?

The principal audience for the 2026 ESA public event in Villanueva de la Cañada is members of the public, students and families and teachers and science communicators. In Villanueva de la Cañada, these groups can use the public event to place astronomy and planetary missions beside science operations and identify the programme areas closest to their responsibilities. Space enthusiasts bring a complementary perspective where their work intersects with the professional community at the 2026 ESA public event in Villanueva de la Cañada. Prospective space professionals may also find a strong fit in Villanueva de la Cañada sessions addressing spacecraft data. Current official information remains the final reference for this edition.

Practical information

ESA Open Day is scheduled for 3 October 2026 at ESA ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain. Before attending ESA Villanueva de la Cañada public event, use the official event site to confirm the final programme, daily timings, registration status and venue access. Travel planning for ESA Villanueva de la Cañada public event should include current transport and accommodation checks, particularly where the venue is outside the city centre or uses controlled access.