Individual tours at ESA
ESA Darmstadt - Control Centre of the European Space Agency
Tour on the premises of the Satellite Control Centre. The main control room and various satellite models are visited while the centre is in operation. A film clip shows the tasks and objectives of ESOC.
For the time being, individual tours can only take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The scheduled times are 10 and 12 am (on mondays) and 1 pm and 3 pm (on wednesdays and fridays). Other times are currently not possible!
Public tours (in German) take place at 2 pm on Mondays and 5pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The maximum number of persons per tour group is 20. Participation by appointment only, minimum age 10 years. All persons over 16 years of age must carry a valid identity card!
A list of participants must be presented to Darmstadt Marketing and ESA for all groups. You will receive further info after booking.
ESA Darmstadt
Since 1967, space missions have been designed and controlled here in the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt.
The worldwide network of ESA ground stations is also operated from here in order to maintain contact with the missions.
In this control centre, more than 80 ESA missions were operationally supervised from the early start-up phase,
including Giotto, Huygens, Envisat, Mars Express, Rosetta, BepiColombo and Solar Orbiter, but also missions from other organisations.
ESA's activities in the area of space security to protect against dangers from space are also located here.
Individual tours at EUMETSAT
EUMETSAT – weather data for the world “made in Darmstadt”
Behind the scenes of the European organization for the exploitation of meteorological satellites.
You will be given an exciting guided tour using satellite models in their original size.
For the time being, individual tours can only take place on Fridays. The scheduled times are 11am and 1 pm. Other times are currently not possible!
Public tours (in German) take place at 3 pm on Fridays.
The maximum number of persons per tour group is 15. Participation by appointment only, minimum age 12 years. All persons over 16 years of age must carry a valid identity card!
A list of participants must be presented to Darmstadt Marketing and EUMETSAT for all groups. You will receive further info after booking.
EUMETSAT
The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) has had its headquarters in Darmstadt since 1986.
From here, a system of meteorological satellites is operated, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
In addition to the data needed for our daily weather forecasts, they provide information used in measuring climate change and global warming.
Current note for visits to ESA and EUMETSAT
Please note that public guided tours are currently not available in English. Tickets for German public guided tours can be purchased here!
Other than that we can offer individual guided tours in the following languages:
- English
- French
- Spanish
Guided tours in further languages can be arranged upon request. Feel free to contact us!
How to book an individual tour at ESA or EUMETSAT
Simply send us an email with your "preferred date" to da-service@
darmstadt.de, we will then check this date as soon as possible and get back to you.
If your date is available, we will of course be happy to book it for you.
Please send us the following data directly:
- Invoice address + all necessary details for invoicing
- contact person + mobile phone number
- brief information about the composition of the group (age, group of people, etc.)
Virtual tour "Discover ESA"
Find out more about ESA's tasks, projects and missions with a virtual tour. The tour covers the topics "Understanding our universe", "Safeguarding space activities", "Protecting our environment", "Building the best tools", "Sending Europe to the moon" and "Improving life on earth".
Link to the virtual tour "Discover ESA": discover.esa.int
Take a 360°-tour through the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) of ESA in Darmstadt: discover.esa.int
Ihr Buchungskontakt
Wissenschaftsstadt Darmstadt Marketing GmbH
Darmstadt Services
Elisabethenstraße 20-22, 64283 Darmstadt
Tel.: +49 (0) 6151 - 1345-11
Fax: +49 (0) 6151 - 1347-5858
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