What are we looking for in space, and what can it teach us about life on Earth?

In May, wow² Space launched visitors on a journey through research, technology and imagination. This autumn, the journey continues. On 31 October and 1 November, wow² Space returns to ETH Zurich with new perspectives, new experiences and new opportunities to explore some of humanity’s biggest questions.

Across two days, visitors can follow their curiosity through exhibitions, talks, tours, workshops and performances that explore not only the universe around us, but also what it means to be human within it.

Starting with a Big Question

If you’re wondering where to begin, start with the question at the heart of this year’s event. In his opening keynote, Professor Thomas Zurbuchen invites us to reflect on a deceptively simple idea: Why space?

It is a question that echoes throughout the weekend, whether the topic is astronomy, robotics, climate research or the search for life beyond Earth. Rather than offering a single answer, wow² Space invites visitors to explore the many ways in which space shapes science, society and our understanding of ourselves.

Looking Beyond Earth

From there, the programme branches out in many directions.

You might find yourself gazing towards distant planets and wondering whether life exists elsewhere in the universe. Or perhaps you’ll step inside the historic Semper Observatory, where generations of researchers have studied the night sky, before continuing your journey through the Solar System in one of the immersive planetarium shows.

For those fascinated by the cosmos, wow² Space offers countless opportunities to look beyond Earth and explore some of the biggest mysteries still facing science today.

Imagining Humanity’s Next Steps

What comes after exploration?

For those interested in humanity’s future beyond Earth, there is plenty to discover. Meet LunarLeaper, a robot designed to tackle some of the Moon’s most challenging terrain, learn how students are developing Mars rovers, and hear from analogue astronauts who prepare for future missions by testing space-like conditions here on Earth.

Together, these projects offer a glimpse into how exploration begins long before anyone leaves the ground.

Choose Your Own Journey

What makes wow² Space stand out is the variety of ways to engage.

You can listen, watch, discuss, experiment, build, play or simply explore. One moment might find you examining meteorites or experiencing an earthquake simulator; the next you may be listening to a live podcast recording, joining a workshop about the future of the Solar System, or laughing along at a science comedy show.

For younger explorers, the weekend offers plenty of opportunities to create, code and experiment. From rockets and robotics to hands-on science activities, the emphasis is not on providing answers, but on encouraging questions.

There is no single route through the programme. Whether you spend an hour or an entire weekend exploring, the experience is ultimately shaped by your own curiosity.

And perhaps that’s exactly the point…

Explore the full programme and plan your visit here: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/meet-eth/wowhochzwei.html

Further information

If you have any questions or feedback, the meet ETH team is happy to assist via email: meet.eth@sl.ethz.ch

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What does it take to explore the universe, understand our planet from above and imagine life beyond Earth?

At ETH Zurich, these questions are not confined to research papers or laboratories. They come to life through people, projects and conversations. wow² Space, taking place on 30 May 2026 at ETH Zurich Main Building, offers a unique opportunity to experience exactly that.

When we think about space, we often picture distant galaxies or future missions. At wow² it becomes tangible, relevant and connected to our everyday lives. The event brings together a wide range of perspectives, from environmental monitoring on Earth to the search for life beyond our solar system.

wow² Space is an open invitation to everyone to discover space research and science up close, get inspired, ask questions, and experience on 30 May at ETH Zurich how research is shaping our future view of space.

Science Through the People Behind It

Verena Griess explores how satellite data and artificial intelligence help us detect environmental changes, offering new ways to understand forests and ecosystems. Adrian Glauser takes audiences on a journey through the universe, explaining how modern telescopes reveal phenomena that remain invisible to the human eye.

Space exploration becomes more concrete through the work of Elena Krasnova, who works on robotic systems designed for lunar missions, and Simon Stähler, who provides insights into Mars exploration and the ongoing search for signs of life.

The programme also highlights how space is increasingly connected to global questions. In a live podcast session, David Vogel discusses the geopolitical dimensions of space together with Felix Seidel and Leonid Leiva Ariosa.

Experiencing the Universe

Beyond talks, wow² Space creates immersive experiences that make complex topics accessible. In the mobile planetarium, visitors are guided by Urs Scheifele and Matthias Hofer through the solar system and beyond. From the phases of the Moon to the structure of our solar system and the life cycles of stars, these shows bring astronomical phenomena vividly to life and make them accessible to all age groups.

From ideas to future scenarios

wow² Space also invites participants to actively engage with future possibilities.

Workshops led by the FUTURIUM explore questions such as how we might live on other planets or manage the increasing number of satellites in orbit. Through storytelling and hands-on prototyping, participants can develop their own visions of the future and make them tangible.

Inspiring curiosity across generations

The event places a strong emphasis on engaging younger audiences and families.

Guido Schwarz introduces children to the history of space exploration, while Lia Sartori explains how scientists search for life beyond Earth. Interactive workshops encourage creativity and experimentation, supported by contributors such as Hanna Sathiapal, André Csillaghy, Lukas Schmid and Muriel Stiefel.

Additional activities are offered by initiatives like mint & pepper and the Academic Spaceflight Initiative Switzerland, where participants can build rockets or explore robotics.

When Science Meets Entertainment

In the evening, wow² Space takes on a different tone.

The show BLACK BOX Space combines science with humour and performance. Hosted by Patrick “Karpi” Karpiczenko and Mirko Bischofberger, and featuring Sascha Quanz and Deborah Müller, it explores big questions about space in an engaging and entertaining format.

Further information

meet ETH events at a glance

If you have any questions or feedback, the meet ETH team is happy to assist via email: meet.eth@sl.ethz.ch

Subscribe to the meet ETH newsletter

Follow our social channels for regular updates: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, BluSky