ESA and PLAYMOBIL join forces to inspire the next generation of space explorers

As the European Space Agency (ESA) ramps up Europe’s ambition in space exploration, it is equally committed to sparking curiosity among young minds. What better way to inspire future explorers than with a fully equipped lunar rover – a creation born from our exciting new partnership with PLAYMOBIL?

From imagination to reality: A new play experience

Released at the start of the year, the ‘Starter Pack Space Mission’ set invites children to step into the role of an ESA astronaut exploring the Moon. With its futuristic vehicle, young explorers can navigate rocky terrain, collect soil samples, and analyse them at a mobile station equipped with an antenna that transmits discoveries via satellite orbiting the Moon. And this scenario isn’t as far-fetched as it may seem: through its Moonlight programme, ESA is actively working towards a near future where services like satellite navigation, video conferencing, and file sharing will be just as seamless on the Moon as they are on Earth.

Learning through play: A window into ESA’s lunar ambitions

This new toy set reflects ESA’s ongoing commitment to lunar exploration. The recently inaugurated LUNA facility – a collaboration between ESA and DLR, located next to ESA’s Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany – provides a realistic training environment that replicates the Moon’s surface. Here, astronauts and engineers will test technologies and prepare for future missions – including with Spot, a robot dog! At the same time, the development of Argonaut – ESA’s first lunar lander – represents a major milestone in Europe’s ability to deliver a wide range of cargo to the Moon. This includes essential resources for astronauts such as food, water, and air, as well as rovers, scientific instruments, and infrastructure for communication and power generation.

A legacy of discovery, an invitation to the future

“This new PLAYMOBIL set continues a long-standing partnership that takes on special significance this year, as we celebrate ESA’s 50th anniversary and set our sights on 2040 with a new strategy that outlines Europe’s ambitions across five key goals – including exploration and discovery,” says Nadia Lüders, ESA Partnership & Brand Licensing Officer. “This partnership ensures that the curiosity and wonder of space continue to spark young imaginations – nurturing a new generation ready to explore, innovate, and shape the Europe of tomorrow.”

The new set is now available in the PLAYMOBIL online stores in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Curious to see more? Explore all the PLAYMOBIL sets created in collaboration with ESA and dive deeper into the Universe of space-inspired play here.

Source : ESA

AeroMorning.com