Cryosat will measure the ice at the Earth’s poles with previously unattained accuracy.

With the aid of two radar antennas, the satellite will be able not only to determine the extent of the polar ice masses, but also their precise thickness. In addition, the radar satellite data will help explain the connection between the melting of the polar ice and the rise in sea levels.

On this occasion, ESA will organise a launch event at ESA/ESRIN in Frascati, Italy, from 15:30 to 20:00.

A live televised transmission of the launch will bring images from Plesetsk and mission control at ESA/ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany, to broadcasters and the general public. ESA senior management and specialists will be on hand at ESRIN for explanations and interviews.

All live transmissions are carried free-to-air. For broadcasters, complete details of the various satellite feeds (on Eutelsat W2) are listed at http://television.esa.int.

For the general public, a launch transmission via Astra 1G has again been organised, with all schedule and transmission details online at http://television.esa.int/photos/Astra.pdf

Media representatives wishing to follow the event at ESA/ESRIN, or the rebroadcast transmission at the ESA establishments, are requested to fill in the attached registration form and to fax it back to the place of their choice.

For further information, please contact:

ESA Media Relations Division

Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155

Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690

 
Cryosat launch – Plesetsk – 8 October 2005

First name: ___________________ Surname:____________________

Media:______________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Tel:________________________ Fax:___________________________

Mobile:_____________________ E-mail:________________________

I will be attending the Cryosat launch at the following site:

[ ]Italy

Location: ESA/ESRIN

Address: Via Galileo Galilei, Frascati (Rome), Italy

Opening hours:15:30 – 20:00

Contact: Franca Morgia – Tel: +39.06.9418.0951 – Fax: +39.06.9418.0952

[ ]The Netherlands

Location: Space Expo, ESA/ESTEC Visitors' Centre

Address: Keplerlaan 3, Noordwijk

Opening hours: 15.30 - 19.30

Contact: Michel van Baal, tel. + 31 71 565 3006, fax + 31 71 565 5728

[ ]Germany

Location: ESA/ESOC

Address: Robert Bosch Strasse 5, Darmstadt, Germany

Opening hours: 15:00 – 20:00

Contact: Jocelyne Landeau-Constantin, Tel: +49.6151.902.696 – Fax: +49.6151.902.961

[ ]Spain

Location: ESA/ESAC

Address: Urbanización Villafranca del Castillo, Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid

Opening hours: 16:00 - 19.30

Contact: Monica Oerke, Tel + 34 91 813 13 59 – Fax: + 34 91 813 12 19

[ ]France

Location: ESA HQ, Room 137

Address: 8/10, rue Mario Nikis – Paris 15, France

Opening hours: 16.00 – 20.00

Contact: Anne-Marie Remondin – Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155 – fax: +33(0)1.53.697690

[ ]France

Location: Cité des Sciences et de l’Espace

Address: Avenue Jean Gonord, BP 25855 – 31506-Toulouse Cedex 5

Opening hours:15:30 – 20:00

Contact: Sandra Laly – Tel: +33(0)1.44.76.77.32 – Fax: +33(0)1.44.76.78.16