Exploring new
space horizons.
The Swiss way.
We boost space activities to establish ETH Zurich as the leading university in space research, education and entrepreneurship
within Europe and beyond.
Find out about collaboration opportunities
200+
Professors & other researchers are interested in space
20+
ESA projects were closed
250+
Students are active members of ARIS - from ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, HSLU, ZHAW and OST
15/16
ETH Departments are involved with topics like geodesy, robotics, earth science, exoplanets, etc
2-3x
Higher citation ratio per space publication can be observed for ETH vs NASA JPL and DLR.
20
20+ ESA projects were closed in the last 3 years – rapidly increasing from ca. 80 in the last 20 years.
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Explore our space research
groups and projects
Life Mission
Large Interferometer for Exoplanets on a mission to investigate exoplanets and search for life.
About the project
Life Mission
ETH Zurich is involved in several ongoing projects that explore a range of topics in space research. The LIFE Mission (Large Interferometer for Exoplanets) is an ambitious initiative aiming to investigate the atmospheres of distant exoplanets to search for signs of life. This project is currently in the conceptual phase, with ETH Zurich leading efforts to develop a space telescope interferometer.
LIFE Mission WebsiteeSA LISA & LISA Pathfinder
Laser Interferometer Space Antenna
About the project
eSA LISA & LISA Pathfinder
In gravitational wave detection, ETH Zurich plays a role in the ESA LISA & LISA Pathfinder missions. These missions focus on developing space-based observatories for detecting gravitational waves. ETH Zurich has contributed to key components such as control electronics and noise mitigation technologies, which are critical for ensuring the success of future gravitational wave observations.
ESA LISA PathfinderJames Webb Space Telescope
The largest optical telescope in space.
About the project
James Webb Space Telescope
ETH Zurich is also part of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) project, having contributed to the development of the MIRI instrument. This tool is used to study the formation of early stars and galaxies, as well as the atmospheres of potentially habitable exoplanets.
ESA JWST MIRIROBOTS FOR SPACE EXPLORING
Spacebok, GLIMPSE, SpaceHopper & ARISE: various robots to research locomotion for space exploration.
About the project
ROBOTS FOR SPACE EXPLORING
As one of global leader in robotics, ETH Zurich has developed systems for space exploration. Projects like SpaceBok and SpaceHopper focused on autonomous robots for low-gravity environments like the Moon or Mars. Building on these, the LunarLeaper culminates ETH Zurich’s research in low-gravity locomotion, exploring hopping motions for more efficient mobility than wheeled or walking robots. The goal is a system capable of traversing challenging lunar terrain with minimal energy, boosting mobility for future lunar exploration missions.
LunarLeaperSpecialised Master in Space Systems
The new space industry is experiencing a period of massive growth and diversification, both in terms of technological advancements and market dynamics. The specialised master in space systems offers students the opportunity to enter this dynamic environment.
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Latest ETH Zurich News
Are we alone in the universe?
In recent years, ETH Zurich has become one of the most renowned centres in the world for researching these matters:the former NASA research head Thomas Zurbuchen has been the Director of ETH Zurich Space since summer 2023.
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ETH Global Lecture: Life on Earth and Beyond
How did life on Earth begin and proliferate? And is there life beyond our planet? At this ETH Global Lecture, Nobel Prize winner Didier Queloz and former NASA research head Thomas Zurbuchen discuss what is already known about the origin of life on Earth and beyond, what projects are underway at ETH Zurich – and what life itself has taught them.
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ETH Global Lecture Series: Who Owns the Moon?
Unlike any other time in human history, humanity sits on the threshold of the universe. As the commercial space industry grows in influence and importance, complex legal and ethical questions emerge. Join us as we navigate the intricacies, gaps, and inconsistencies of space law.
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Shaping the future of space — from the heart of Europe
10.04.2025 by Nicole Kretschmer, editor-in-chief of the DGLR members' magazine
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News
From ETH Zürich to the edge of space — and beyond!
07.04.2025 by Innovation Park Zurich
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Astronomy & Research
Planets contain more water than thought
04.02.2025 by Barbara Vonarburg, freelance author
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Green Light for LISA
25.01.2025 by Editorial Team
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Earth and Planetary Sciences
The view from space – and what it tells us
06.01.2025 by Barbara Vonarburg, freelance author
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Space Research
Why we need space exploration
17.12.2024 by Christoph Elhardt and Karin Köchle, Corporate Communications
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Space Research
The quest to explore space
17.12.2024 by Michael Keller, Corporate Communications
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Innovation & Industry
Inspired by space: Getting smart ideas off the ground
17.12.2024 by Corinne Johannssen, Corporate Communications
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Space Research
Launch of space systems degree programme
17.12.2024 by Peter Rüegg, Corporate Communications
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Events
ETH Global Lecture Series: Who Owns the Moon?
07.10.2024 by Community & Outreach
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Society & Institution
From Earth to distant worlds: ETH department is now called Earth and Planetary Sciences
05.08.2024 by Peter Rüegg. Corporate Communications
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Research
Learning About Extraterrestrial Life Detection at NASA JPL
11.07.2024 by
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New class of Mars quakes reveals daily meteorite strikes
28.06.2024 by Marianne Lucien
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Final design of ELT’s METIS instrument completed
16.05.2024 by Anna Carmen Radi
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Research
Life on Earth and Beyond
30.04.2024 by
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Earth as a test object
26.02.2024 by Corinne Landolt and Gaia Donati
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New Master’s in Space Systems to be launched in September
07.02.2024 by Michael Walther
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A key experiment for the LIFE space mission
14.04.2023 by Felix Würsten
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