N° 59–2004: Europe reaches the Moon
5 November 2004
During the night of 15 to 16 November, ESA’s SMART-1 will reach the first of its closest approaches to the Moon after a 13-month journey. Then the spacecraft will begin adjusting its orbit around the Moon in preparation for a scientific investigation of its surface, starting in January.
During the long cruise, consisting of a spiralling orbit around the Earth that brought the spacecraft close to the lunar capture point, SMART-1 achieved all the technology demonstration goals of the first part of the mission.
The exciting final manoeuvres to enter a stable lunar orbit, the challenges of the journey and the results of the SMART-1 technology tests paving the way for future interplanetary missions, will be presented at a press conference on 16 November at ESA/ESOC in Darmstadt (Germany), starting at 08h00.
Media representatives can also follow the press conference by videoconference from ESA/HQ in Paris, France, ESA/ESTEC (Noordwijk – the Netherlands) and ESA/ESRIN (Frascati – Italy).
Please return the attached accreditation form to the establishment of your choice.
Europe reaches the Moon – press conference
Programme
08:00 - Welcome, G. Winters, D/OPS
08:05 - Introduction, D. Southwood, D/SCI
08:10 - SMART-1 is at the Moon. Cruise records from the small technology genius, G. Racca, Smart-1 Project Manager, ESTEC
08:20 - Ion-propulsion test: a successful technology demonstration, G. Saccoccia, Head of the ESA Propulsion Division, ESTEC
08:25 - Manoeuvring Smart-1: a new era in space navigation, O.Camino, Smart-1 Mission Control Manager, ESOC
08:30 - New technologies for the space science of the future, B. Foing, Smart-1 Project Scientist, ESTEC
08:40 - Conclusions: glorious times for planetary exploration at ESA, D. Southwood, D/SCI
08:45 - Q & A and splinter interviews
10:00 - End of event
SMART-1 Press Conference
Tuesday 16 November 2004 – 08:00 – 10:00
First Name :__________________ Surname : _________________
Media : __________________________________________________
Address : ________________________________________________
Tel: _______________________ Fax : _____________________
Mobile : ____________________ E-mail : ___________________
( ) Germany
Location : Robert Bosch Str. 5, Darmstadt, Germany
Opening hours : 07:00 – 11:00
Contact : Jocelyne Landeau-Constantin, Tel : +49(0)6151.90.2696 – Fax : +49(0).6151.90.2961
( ) France
Location : ESA HQ – Room 137
Address : 8/10, rue Mario Nikis – Paris 15, France
Opening hours: 07:45 – 10:00
Contact: Anne-Marie Rémondin, Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155 – Fax : +33(0)1.53.69.7690
( ) The Netherlands
Location : ESTEC, the Wintergarden
Address : Keplerlaan 1, Noordwijk Netherlands
Opening hours: 07:45 – 10:00
Contact : Rosita Suenson, Tel: +31.71.565.3009 –Fax : +31 71 565 5728
( ) Italy
Location : ESA/ESRIN, Ada Byron Room
Address: Via Galileo Galilei, Frascati (Rome), Italy
Opening hours: 07:45 – 10:00
Contact: Franca Morgia : Tel: +39.06.941.80.951 – Fax +39 06 94180 952
For further information:
ESA Media Relations Division
Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155
Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690