N° 28–2011: Soyuz ready with Galileo satellites for milestone launch

Liftoff is scheduled for Thursday, 20 October at 12:34 CEST (11:34 GMT, 07:34 local time).

The launch will be the first time that Russia’s venerable Soyuz vehicle has ascended from European territory, adding a trusted workhorse to Europe’s launchers family.

This Soyuz-2 version is the latest in the renowned family of Russian rockets that began the space race more than 50 years ago by carrying both the first satellite, Sputnik, and the first man, Yuri Gagarin, into space.

Riding Soyuz will be the first two operational satellites in the Galileo constellation that will provide Europe with an independent global satellite navigation system.

Media can follow this important event live at one of the many launch events being organised around Europe, via satellite for broadcasters or on the web.

Information on covering the launch

Preparing for launch

Leading up to launch day, ESA TV is providing broadcasters with a series of video news releases that feature unique material on the Galileo programme and the Soyuz at Europe’s Spaceport. All details can be found on ESA TV’s site at http://television.esa.int/

Online videos about the Soyuz and Galileo programmes are available at http://multimedia.esa.int

The latest high-resolution still images can be found by registering on ESA’s Photo Library for Professionals at http://www.esa-photolibrary.com/

Media image queries can be directed to esa.photolibrary@esa.int

Following the launch

For broadcasters, the launch will be transmitted live from Kourou on the AB-3 satellite.

Live web streaming of the launch will be available on www.esa.int

Attending a launch event

Several launch events open to media are being arranged, in cooperation with national and European partners, throughout Europe. The events will be centred on the video transmission of the launch, with ESA and other experts available for complementary information.

The following is a list of event locations and contact points for media wanting to attend the events:

Italy (in cooperation with the Italian space agency, ASI)

Location: ESRIN Via Galileo Galilei snc, I-00044, Rome.

Tel : +39 06 9418 0951

Email: franca.morgia@esa.int

France (in cooperation with the French space agency, CNES, and Arianespace)

Location: CNES, 2 place Maurice Quentin, F-75001 Paris.

Tel: + 33 1 53 69 72 99

Register:http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMHIQ9U7TG_index_0.html

Germany(in cooperation with the German space agency, DLR)

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt GCC, Oberpfaffenhofen, D-82234 Weßling.

Email: Miriam.Kamin@DLR.de

Fax: +49 08153/28-1243

Netherlands

ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG Noordwijk.Tel: + 31 71 565 3006 Email: estecpr@esa.int

Spain

ESAC, Camino bajo del Castillo, s/n Urbanizacion Villafranca del Castillo, Villanueva de la Cañada, E-28692, Madrid.

Tel +34 91 813 13 59

Email: comunicacionesac@esa.int

Russia

ESA Moscow office

Sretensky boulevard, 6/1 bld.2, office 122, 101000 Moscow.

Email: Julia.Kovaleva@esa.int, emodesk@esa.int

UK(organised by the UK space agency, UKSA)

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Conference Centre, 1 Victoria Street, London.Email: julia.short@ukspaceagency.bis.gov.uk

Belgium(organised by the European Commission)

Solidarnosc esplanade of the European Parliament, Rue Wiertz 60, Brussels.

The event is open to the public; no media registration is needed.

For further information, please contact:
ESA Media Relations Office
Communication Department
Tel: + 33 1 53 69 72 99
Fax: + 33 1 53 69 76 90
Email: media@esa.int

Margherita Buoso
Communication Programme Officer for Navigation
Tel: +31 71 565 3009
Email: margherita.buoso@esa.int