From 14 to 16 October 2026, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Swiss Space Office of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) celebrated the 40th anniversary of the PRODEX Programme in Zurich, Switzerland. Mandated by ESA’s PRODEX Programme and the Swiss Space Office, Space Exchange Switzerland (SXS) was proud to contribute to the organisation and coordination of this special anniversary event.

Established in 1986, with Switzerland as its first participating state, PRODEX (PROgramme de Développement d’EXpériences scientifiques) has played a key role in supporting the development of scientific instruments and space technologies across Europe. Over the past four decades, the programme has enabled universities, research institutes and industrial partners to transform innovative scientific ideas into instruments and technologies for space missions, contributing to major scientific discoveries and strengthening Europe’s position in space research.

Celebration in Switzerland, in Zurich

Held over three days at the Zurich Marriott Hotel, the 40 year-anniversary celebration brought together representatives from more than 15 national delegations, alongside high-level speakers, scientific institutions, industry representatives and ESA. The event was officially opened by State Secretary Prof. Dr. Martina Hirayama and featured an inspiring keynote address by Professor Carole Mundell, ESA Director of Science.

Throughout the three days, keynote presentations, delegation project showcases and roundtable discussions provided opportunities to exchange experiences, share lessons learned and explore future developments for the programme. Dedicated one-to-one meetings, which participants could schedule in advance, further encouraged professional exchanges and potential collaborations.

For SXS, contributing to the organisation of this anniversary was an opportunity to support an important milestone for the European space community and help bring together the organisations and people shaping the future of space science. As a platform dedicated to promoting and developing the Swiss space ecosystem, SXS is committed to facilitating exchanges between academia, industry and institutions, both in Switzerland and internationally.

Forty years of PRODEX represent not only a remarkable legacy of scientific achievements, but also a strong foundation for future discoveries and collaborations.