Protect Our Planet and Climate (Goal 1) focuses on ESA’s missions monitoring climate change and protecting Earth’s resources. Highlights include Biomass, which launched earlier this year to study the evolution of our forests and their role in the carbon cycle; Europe’s planetary defence mission, Hera; Vigil, which will monitor space weather starting in 2031; and Sentinel-6, tracking rising sea levels to support ocean science and weather forecasting.
Goal 3: Strengthen European Autonomy and Resilience showcases Europe’s independent access to space with models of Ariane 6, Vega-C, and the future reusable Space Rider, all launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou. This area also highlights how space applications support resilience including the vital role of Earth observation in addressing global challenges and the contributions of the Galileo navigation system and satellite connectivity.
As visitors move through the exhibition, they arrive at the central area where they can explore the innovative AInfinity Space installation. This features ESA programmes powered by artificial intelligence, including an interactive dialogue with the Hera spacecraft and immersive films on the Euclid mission, which is mapping the Universe to reveal more about the role of gravity and the nature of dark energy and dark matter.
The exhibition continues with Goal 2: Explore and Discover, spotlighting the LUNA facility, a lunar terrain simulator preparing astronauts and robots for Moon missions. The Argonaut lunar lander model illustrates plans to deliver cargo and infrastructure to the Moon. The Juice mission, launched in 2023 and currently en route to Jupiter’s icy moons searching for signs of primitive life, is also represented by a model. Plans for a mission to Saturn’s ocean moon Enceladus are also featured with a detailed 3D model of its icy surface.
Finally, Boost European Growth and Competitiveness(Goal 4) highlights ESA’s support for innovation and entrepreneurship with examples including its Business Incubation Centres and telecommunications projects such as Joysat. The Proba-3 mission demonstrates advanced satellite formation flying, showcasing Europe’s cutting-edge space technology. Projects by university students and the role of the ESOC control centre provide further insight into ESA’s dynamic ecosystem.