N° 49–2002: A glimpse of space at Farnborough International Air Show

8 July 2002

The bi-annual Farnborough International Air Show takes place at Farnborough aerodrome, south west of London, under the aegis of the Society of British Aerospace Companies. Trade days are Monday 22 to Friday 26 July, 09:30-18:00 with a public weekend on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July, 09:30-17:30. More information on this world-renowned exhibition can be found on the Internet at http://www.farnborough.com.

ESA will be present at Farnborough International 2002, sharing an exhibition stand, located between Halls 3 and 4, with the British National Space Centre. Most of the current ESA and BNSC programmes will be represented by models and images, with particular emphasis on space applications for safeguarding our planet.

A multivision video will illustrate ESA's Earth observation and meteorology programmes, including Envisat, Meteosat Second Generation, Metop and the future missions to be developed in this area.

An interactive computer demonstration will brief visitors on Galileo, Europe's brand-new satellite navigation and positioning system, now in the starting blocks. ESA's space science missions will be represented by a fascinating film, and a corner of the stand will feature Beagle 2 and Mars Express.

Media activities and public presentations

Several press briefings and debates will take place in the Cinema area of the exhibition stand and are scheduled as follows:

Monday 22 July:

11:30-12:15 - Meteosat Second Generation press briefing - Darren Betts, BBC Weather presenter Stephen Briggs, ESA, Ewen McCallum, UK Met Office, Jacqui Russel, Imperial College for NERC.

12:15-13:00 - Envisat results press briefing - Stephen Briggs, ESA, Duncan Wingham, NERC

Tuesday 23 July:

10:30-11:15 - Mars Express and Beagle 2 press briefing - Donald McCoy, ESA, Colin Pillinger, Open University

11:30-12:15 - Galileo press briefing - Hans Fromm, ESA, Paula Freedman, BNSC

Wednesday 24 July:

11:00-12:00 - UK space strategy press conference - Lord Sainsbury, UK Science & Innovation Minister, Antonio Rodotà, ESA Director General, Colin Hicks, BNSC Director General

Thursday 25 July:

11:00-12:30 - Debate: "Smart materials, applications and "spin-offs" in space and aerospace" - Bruno Naulais, ESA J. Rootes, JRA Technology Ltd., Tony Anson, Anson Medical Ltd, Paul Reip, QinetiQ Nanomaterials Ltd David Lussey, Peratech Ltd

Saturday 27 - Sunday 28 July:

Educational interactive presentations by Orbital Mechanics - Space Station utilisation students contest, Rogier Schonenborg, ESA

High-level representatives and specialists from ESA, BNSC, the UK Met Office, the Open University, NERC, EUMETSAT and other institutions or organisations will be on hand for interviews.

Media representatives wishing to attend these meetings are kindly requested to complete the attached reply form and fax it to: BNSC Information Unit, Steve Warrwen/ Jon Spencer, Fax. + 44(0) 207 215 0936.

For further information:

ESA Media Relations Service

Franco Bonacina

Tel. + 33(0)1.5369 .7713

Fax. + 33(0).1.5369.7690