On 17–18 March 2026, the ESA XR Conference took place at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany. The event brought together researchers, engineers, developers, and industry experts working with Extended Reality (XR) technologies in the space sector.

The conference showcased how Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) were transforming the way complex space missions were designed, tested, and operated. Through presentations, interactive sessions, demonstrations, and posters, participants exchanged ideas and explored the latest innovations in immersive technologies.

Topics discussed at the event included:

• Astronaut training and mission operations
• Human–machine interaction
• Digital twins and simulation for systems engineering
• Collaborative engineering and remote design
• Interaction hardware and XR tools for space applications

Events like the ESA XR Conference highlight how immersive technologies are becoming essential tools for training, simulation, and complex engineering processes—areas that are also highly relevant for education and skills development in emerging digital fields.

Initiatives such as Alliance4XR closely follow these developments, as XR technologies continue to reshape how professionals learn, collaborate, and innovate across sectors.

#XR #ExtendedReality #SpaceTechnology #ImmersiveTech #DigitalSkills #Innovation