N° 34–1997: Ariane flight 502 practical details for the press in Europe

The Press Centre will be open the day before the launch (J-1) and on the day of the launch (J0, currently scheduled for Thursday 30 October 1997) from 1000 to 2000 hours. Journalists present will be able to monitor activities taking place in French Guiana at the following times (Paris time). J-1: 1530 hours Live video conference link-up with the Jupiter Press Centre at the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's Spaceport, in Kourou.

Briefing on the 502 mission and opportunity for journalists to put questions to Ariane 502 launch managers at Kourou.
J0 (launch window 1400 to 1700 hours): H-40min Start of coverage
H+53min End of live coverage
H+120min Video conference briefing (this will be organised in the same way as the J-1 briefing; the precise time will be decided in Kourou in line with ongoing operations).

Spokespersons from ESA, CNES, Arianespace and the main firms participating in the Ariane-5 programme will be on hand at Le Bourget to provide journalists with further information.

Journalists with specific requests concerning the Centre's facilities, in particular access outside opening hours, should call the CNES press office in Paris on (+331)44767687.

In addition, the latest information on pre-launch operations can be obtained on the following telephone hotline:
(+331)47124734 (French)
(+331)47124735 (English).

II - Other local press centres will be open, on the day of the launch only, where journalists will be able to follow the live coverage and listen to the post-launch briefings (by telephone).

They are located in: Toulouse (France): CNES/CST
Darmstadt (Germany): ESA/ESOC
Noordwijk (Netherlands): ESA/ESTEC
Colleferro (Italy): ESA/ESRIN/FIAT AVIO/BPD
Washington: ESA