Recap of this special day

50th Anniversary of the ESA Convention - Illuminate Europe’s sky!

26th of May 2025 16:30, SwissTech Convention Center Lausanne

Space Exchange Switzerland was honored to co-host the 50th anniversary celebration of ESA. The event welcomed over 1’000 participants at the SwissTech Convention Center, including the ESA Director General, three ESA Directors, three astronauts, high-level federal and cantonal officials, as well as the presidents of three leading Swiss universities.

Short aftermovie of the celebration

Recap video with key moments

On Monday 26th of May, supported by Space Exchange Switzerland (a national platform funded by the Swiss Space Office), the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation was very fortunate to host the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the ESA Convention in Lausanne. In 2025, the 50th anniversary of the signature of the ESA Convention (30 May 1975) provides the opportunity to reflect not only on ESA’s past achievements, but also on its future perspectives.

The event provided a unique opportunity to explore ESA’s legacy and forward-looking vision, highlighted by the participation of high level figures in the space sector, including ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and Switzerland’s new astronaut, Marco Sieber. We were also honored by a virtual opening address from Federal Councillor, Guy Parmelin. Josef Aschbacher’s remarks on ESA’s 2040 vision offered valuable insight into the agency’s strategic direction. Throughout the celebration, the atmosphere was enriched by four captivating performances from the Swiss troupe The Blackouts, adding a creative dimension to the celebration.

Visit our dedicated event page to explore the full program and learn more about the distinguished speakers who participated in this special occasion.

📸: Phil Suarez