ESA Symposium on European Rocket and Balloon Programmes and Related Research
31/05/2026 @ 8 h 00 min - 04/06/2026 @ 17 h 00 min
Symposium Overview The 27th ESA Symposium on European Rocket and Balloon Programmes and Related Research is organised and sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Norway as the host country.
The local organiser is Andøya Space AS. The symposium programme will be defined by the Programme Committee, composed of the representatives of the five Member States of the Esrange Andøya Special Project (EASP) for the launching of sounding rockets and balloons, and ESA. Purpose of the Symposium This Symposium will be the 27th in a series of conferences initiated in 1973 by the Member States of EASP to provide a platform for scientists and engineers using sounding rockets and balloons in their research, and to advance progress in related scientific disciplines. The scope of the Symposium also includes related ground-based, aircraft and satellite research, new developments in technology, improvements of range facilities, and space education.
The Symposium participants are given the opportunity to report on their latest achievements and future plans in the various scientific and technical fields. It is a widely recognised occasion for efficient communication between scientists, engineers from industry, project managers and range personnel, and thus a good starting point for stronger collaboration.
The Symposium highlights new trends and latest developments in the use of sounding rockets and balloons for scientific research, facilitating the establishment of strategic roadmaps towards the future of the subject activities.
Participants are welcome to organise splinter meetings, as well as working group and roundtable discussions during the Symposium (please check with the organisers for room availability).
There will also be ample space for informal talks and socialising.
The Proceedings of the Symposium will be published in digital format and distributed to all participants approximately three months after the Symposium. Open access through the German National Library of Science and Technology (TIB) will also be provided.