Call for Media: LISA Pathfinder leaving for launch site

LISA Pathfinder will help to open up a completely new observational window into the gravitational Universe, proving new technologies needed to measure gravitational waves in space. Predicted by Albert Einstein, these waves are ripples in the curvature of spacetime and are produced by massive celestial bodies. Understanding their signature will tell scientists a lot about black holes, compact double stars and other exotic objects.

Members of the media are invited to join ESA’s, Airbus DS and relevant LISA Pathfinder scientists and partners on Tuesday, 1 September from 11:00 CEST, at the IABG space test centre in Ottobrunn near Munich, Germany. 

Programme outline
IABG
Einsteinstrasse 20
D-85521 Ottobrunn, Germany

(Times below are in CEST)

11:00–11:05              Prof. Dr. Rudolf F. Schwarz, IABG CEO
                                 Welcome
11:05–11:15              Alvaro Gimenez, ESA Director of Science and Robotic Exploration
                                 Opening up the gravitational Universe for ESA’s Science Programme
11:15–11:25              Michael Menking, Airbus DS, Senior Vice President Earth Observation,
                                 Navigation and Science
                                 Airbus DS delivering cutting edge technology to ESA’s science programme
11:25–11:35              Cesar Garcia, ESA LISA Pathfinder Project Manager
                                 LISA Pathfinder mission overview and challenges
11:35–11:45              Ian Honstvet, Airbus DS LISA Pathfinder Project Manager
                                 LISA Pathfinder and its challenges for industry
11:45–11:55              Paul McNamara, ESA LISA Pathfinder Project Scientist
                                 LISA Pathfinder: A new way to look at our Universe
11:55–12:05              Stefano Vitale, LISA Pathfinder Primary Investigator, University of Trento 
                                 and INFN
                                 LISA Technology Package
12:05–13:00              Opportunity for questions, followed by a visit to the cleanroom to see the 
                                 satellite
13:00–14:00              Buffet lunch and interview opportunities

Media registration

Please register by 28 August 2015 at presse@iabg.de with the following information included:
Accreditation form
First Name: __________________________
Surname: ______________________
Nationality: ____________________
Passport No.: ___________________
Issued by: ______________________
Valid until: _____________________
Media: __________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
Tel: ______________________
Email: ___________________________________________

A valid ID-Card or Passport is mandatory to enter the event.
To enter the Cleanroom wearing of long trousers and sturdy shoes are compulsory. 

About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 20 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, of whom 18 are Member States of the EU.

Two other Member States of the EU, Estonia and Hungary, have signed Accession Agreements to the ESA Convention and, upon ratification, they will soon become the 21st and 22nd ESA Member States, respectively.

ESA has established formal cooperation with seven other Member States of the EU.

Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

ESA is also working with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.

ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities.

Today, it develops and launches satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar System and cooperates in the human exploration of space.

Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int

For further information, please contact:

ESA Media Relations Office
Tel: +33 1 53 69 72 99
Email: media@esa.int