Programme for the Development of Scientific Experiments (Prodex) celebrates its 40th anniversary
Bern, 16.10.2026 — The European Space Agency's (ESA) Programme for the Development of Scientific Experiments (Prodex) is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Since 1986, the programme has provided funding for the development and use of scientific instruments and experiments. Switzerland played a key role in establishing Prodex and uses the programme to fund its space science experiments. In doing so, it promotes scientific excellence in ESA missions and missions run by international partners such as NASA, JAXA and CNES. The programme's achievements were celebrated in Zurich from 14 to 16 October.
Space research is one of ESA's core activities. Scientific experiments conducted under ESA programmes are generally developed and funded by research institutions in the Member States. For countries without a dedicated funding instrument, securing this funding was a challenge. To address this problem, the Swiss and Belgian delegations to ESA worked with representatives from academia and government to establish the Prodex programme in 1986. Today, 17 ESA member states participate in the programme.
Bringing scientific research into space with Prodex
Drawing on ESA's expertise, Prodex makes it possible to send highly complex scientific instruments and experiments into space. These are used on both ESA missions and missions run by international partners, including the US, Japanese and French space agencies (NASA, JAXA and CNES).
Over the past 40 years, Prodex has supported the development of scientific experiments at more than 20 university research institutions in Switzerland through 130 projects. More than half of the funding has gone to Swiss industry through development contracts.
Notable examples include the Rosetta mission, which was the first to track a comet over several years and provided important insights into the origin of water on Earth. Another is CHEOPS, the first ESA mission led by Switzerland, and Europe's first mission dedicated to the precise characterisation of exoplanets. Prodex has also supported the development of instruments and experiments for ESA's Euclid space telescope, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and the International Space Station (ISS).
How space research benefits life on Earth
Technologies developed through space research can be further developed and used in other space missions and infrastructure, as well as in everyday applications on Earth. Space research also enables us to observe Earth and its climate. Swiss citizens benefit from this too, for example through weather forecasts and disaster warnings.
Celebrations in Zurich
The programme's achievements over the past 40 years were celebrated at a conference and anniversary event held in Zurich from 14 to 16 October. State Secretary Martina Hirayama delivered a keynote speech at the event. Delegations from countries participating in Prodex, ESA representatives and members of the space science community and industry exchanged views, including during a series of panel discussions.