N° 32–2003: Follow the Mars Express launch from one of ESA’s establishments

Europe’s first mission to the Red Planet will reach its target in December, after a six-month journey. Mars Express will help scientists answer questions about the Martian landscape, atmosphere and the origin of life that remain open, although a wealth of information is already available.

Media representatives in Europe can follow the launch and initial orbital operations at ESA/Darmstadt (ESOC) in Germany, which will be acting as the main European press centre, or ESA/Noordwijk (ESTEC) in the Netherlands. ESA/Frascati (ESRIN) in Italy and the Italian Space Agency, ASI, are organising a joint event at the University of Rome. ESA/Villafranca (VILSPA) and the CDTI, the Spanish institution in charge of space issues, are organising a joint event in Spain at the Museo Principe Felipe de la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in Valencia. At each site ESA specialists will be available for interviews.

Media representatives wishing to attend are requested to complete the attached reply form and fax it to the Communication Office at the establishment of their choice.

The ESA TV Service will provide live televised coverage of the launch and initial orbital operations with English commentary, between 19:15 and 22:00 CEST.

Satellite: Astra 2C at 19 degrees East

Reception frequency: 10832 MHz

Polarisation: Horizontal

Symbol rate: 22 Msymb/s

FEC: 5/6

Service ID: 61950

Service name: ESA

TXT: none

Details of the transmission schedule and satellite details for the various pre-launch Video News Releases can be found on http://television.esa.int.

The launch can also be followed live on the internet at www.esa.int/marsexpresslaunch starting at 19:15 hrs. Here you can also find the launch diary, news, press releases, videos, images and more.

For further information, please contact:

ESA Media Relations Service

Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155

Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690

 

MARS EXPRESS LAUNCH ACCREDITATION FORM

Launch on Monday 2 June 2003

First name:____________________Surname :_____________________

Media :______________________________________________________

Address :____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Tel : ____________________ Fax :_____________________________

Mobile : _________________ e-mail :__________________________

I will be attending the Mars Express launch event at the following site:

[ ]Germany:

Location: ESA/ESOC

Address: Robert-Bosch Strasse 5, Darmstadt, Germany

Opening hours: 17.00-23.00 hrs

Contact point: Jocelyne Landeau-Constantin

Tel:+49 6151 90 2696/2459

Fax: +49 6151 90 2961

Info line: +49 - 6151 - 90 26 09

[ ] The Netherlands

Location : Space Expo, visitors’ centre of ESA/ESTEC

Address: Keplerlaan 3, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

Opening hours: 18.00-22.30 hrs

Contact point: Michel van Baal

Tel:+31 71 565 3006 durig office hours

Tel:+31 6 511 83 553 (29 May-1 June)

Tel: +31 71 36 46 446 during launch event (Space Expo)

Fax: +31 71 565 5728

Info line: +31. 71 565 8016

[ ]Italy

Location: Rome University-Faculty of Space Engineering

Address: Via Eudossiana 16 – S. Pietro in Vincoli

Opening hours: from 18.15 hrs

Contact points:

Franca Morgia, ESA

Tel:+39.06.9418.0951

Fax:+39.06.9418.0952

Francesco Rea, ASI Tel:+39.06.8567235 [ ] Spain

Location: Auditorium, Museo Principe Felipe de la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

Address: Avenida Autopista del Saler, 7 – 46013 Valencia

Opening hours: from 18:00

Contact point: Monica Oerke

Tel:+34. 91. 813.1327

Fax:+34.91.813.1210

Please complete the form and fax it to the site of your choice.

 

For further information:

ESA Media Relations Service

Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155

Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690