In 2025, ESA celebrates 50 years of Estrack, its satellite tracking network, and 20 years of deep space operations at the Cebreros antenna in Spain. To mark the occasion, ESA and the Vienna Tourist Board will transmit Strauss’s “The Blue Danube” into deep space on 31 May—honoring a shared legacy of science, music, and exploration.

Estrack has grown into a global network supporting missions like Juice, BepiColombo, and Hera. Its antennas provide vital communication links across the Solar System and enable collaboration with international partners.

With new upgrades and a fourth deep space antenna on the horizon, Estrack is preparing for the future—one that may soon include optical laser communication and a “Solar System Internet.”

This anniversary is more than a technical milestone—it’s a tribute to Europe’s leadership in space and its commitment to blending science with culture.