European Space Expo Dome at the Esplanāde

From 30 April to 10 May this year, an igloo-like tent - a dome - has been erected in Riga by the Rainis Monument, where anyone interested can enter free of charge and learn about the possibilities provided by European space programmes here on Earth.

At the entrance to the dome we were also greeted by a smaller tent, where information could be obtained about the Curiosity Centre "Blue Wonders" and some of its exhibits explored. For example, a relaxation chair, whose appearance involuntarily called to mind the Medieval Torture Instrument Museum in Tallinn visited a couple of years ago.

The attention and active participation of families with children was drawn by an attraction organised next to the dome - the making and launching by hand of paper space rockets into the spring Riga sky.

Inside the European Space Expo dome, an improvised starry night sky with satellites opens up overhead. In the centre stands a planet on which various maps are displayed, corresponding to information selected on the touchscreen - wind directions on Earth, administrative borders of countries, the planet in different seasons, and so on.

Arranged around the perimeter are twelve information stations where one can listen to or watch video presentations on: current European space policy and research; space technologies and agriculture; air travel with space assistance; space and road navigation; maps; Latvia and space exploration; energy; fisheries and space; emergency support from space; climate change; the health of the population and the planet; and European space programmes Galileo and EGNOS. In a word - the future of every member of society.

More about this project and the travelling information exhibition >> http://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/space/expo/