Name ESA’s next long-term mission

Between May and November 2009, ESA astronaut Frank De Winne, a Belgian citizen, will carry out numerous scientific experiments on the International Space Station (ISS). Everyone who lives in the ESA Member States is now being asked to enter a competition to find a name for this special mission. The winner will receive a framed copy of the mission logo, signed by European astronauts.

The winning name must be linked to the following:

• Humans are explorers by nature. Europe has a long history of exploring Earth and is now exploring space.
• Europe’s Columbus laboratory on the ISS is used for science, technology and education for the benefit of life on Earth.
• Our blue planet is largely covered in water. Water is the basis of life and clean water is essential for healthy living.

Entries should be written in English and e-mailed to mission.name@esa.int no later than 18:00 CEST on 15 October. If you do not find it very easy to write in English, you may ask someone to help you. As long as the idea is interesting and understandable it will be considered. Entries should include your real full name, age, home address and full phone number. The subject line of the e-mail must be ‘Mission Name Competition’. When applicants under the age of 18 submit a proposal, they are confirming that a parent/legal guardian knows about it and has agreed, taking into account the conditions of the competition.

Entries should contain the proposed mission name and an explanation of why this would be suitable for Frank De Winne’s flight. It should be a maximum of one A4 page, 12 pt, single space. The name should be one word (or a short combination of words), NOT a personal name (unless it is a mythological name which has a well known meaning). Previous ESA mission names have included ‘Esperia’ (an ancient name for Italy, used on an Italian-led mission) and ‘Delta’ (when a Dutch astronaut flew to the ISS).

The winning entry will be published on the ESA website in November 2008. Full entry conditions can be found at: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMMFMP4KKF_index_0.html