N° 38-2015: Call for Media: The last chance to see Sentinel-3

Before Sentinel-3A is packed up and shipped to Russia for launch, media have the opportunity to see this state-of-the-art satellite in the cleanroom. Project managers and specialists will explain how it is set to mark a new chapter in our ability to measure sea-surface topography, sea and land-surface temperature, and ocean and land-surface colour, in support of ocean and weather forecasting systems.

Over land, this innovative mission will map the way land is used, study vegetation and measure the heights of rivers and lakes. In addition, it will detect and monitor wildfires.

Sentinel-3A is the third satellite to be launched for Europe's Copernicus environmental monitoring programme.

An industrial consortium led by prime contractor Thales Alenia Space built the satellite.

Sentinel-3A will be launched in December on a Rockot from Plesetsk in Russia.

The 15 October press event and visit to the cleanroom will include briefings by experts from ESA, the European Commission, Eumetsat and Thales Alenia Space.

- Interview opportunities -

- Visit to the cleanroom-

13:30- Buffet lunch-

14:30- End of event-

Media interested in joining the event should email sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com by Monday, 12 October 2015 at the latest, providing the following information: first name, surname, media, address, telephone and email as well as nationality, passport number, issue date and end date.

A valid ID-Card or Passport is required to enter the event.

ESA has 21 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, of whom 19 are Member States of the EU.

One other Member State of the EU, Hungary, has signed the Accession Agreement to the ESA Convention and, upon ratification, will soon become the 22nd ESA Member State.

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