As part of the Ecsite Conference 2025, hosted by the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, the Ecsite Space Group played a central role in engaging participants around innovative approaches to space communication. With the support of the European Space Agency (ESA), the group organised a full day of activities on 3 June, bringing together professionals from science centres, museums and space-related institutions from Europe and beyond.
The morning began with the Space Group Deep Dive, facilitated by Audrey Korczyńska from Territoire de Sciences (France), and held in the newly opened planetarium of the Copernicus Science Centre. The session featured a live planetarium show, presentations on ESA’s current outreach initiatives and upcoming missions, and a round table discussion on how science centres and space institutions can work together to reach wider audiences. Contributors included representatives from ESERO Poland, Ciência Viva (Portugal) and the Center Noordung (Slovenia). The programme also included a presentation from the Natural History Museum (UK) on their exhibition Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth?, along with a showcase of creative public engagement initiatives. Projects such as A Universe of VOICES by ATG Europe (The Netherlands) and Space Walk by Omniverse Media (Canada) illustrated diverse approaches to communicating space science in accessible and engaging ways.
In the afternoon, the session “Exploring the Cosmos: An Immersive Journey Through the Solar System and Beyond with the European Space Agency” turned the spotlight to immersive technologies. Speakers from ESA, Ars Electronica (Austria), the Natural History Museum in London (UK), and the National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan (Italy) shared how tools like virtual reality and digital exhibits are being used to make space science more inclusive, interactive and inspiring for diverse audiences.
Throughout the conference, ESA ran a booth at the Ecsite tradeshow, which included a dedicated section presenting the work of the Ecsite Space Group. Visitors could explore recent initiatives, meet group members and learn how to get involved.
The day provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen connections within the Space Group network and to lay the groundwork for future collaborations that will advance innovative approaches to space communication and public engagement.
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