Programme

10:45: Signing of Indigo partnership industrial contract

15:00–16:00: IXV first results press conference

After a perfect mission on 11 February, ESA’s Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) has travelled from the splashdown site in the Pacific Ocean just west of the Galapagos islands, to Le Bourget.

In the five months since the mission, the initial analysis has been completed and results are ready to be unveiled.

Speakers will be: Giorgio Tumino , IXV Programme Manager, ESA; Stefano Bianchi, Head of Launchers Development Department, ESA; Roberto Provera, Director of Human Spaceflight and Transportation Programmes, Thales Alenia Space; and Roberto Angelini , IXV Programme Manager, Thales Alenia Space.

16:00–17:00: Roundtable: the services of EDRS, Europe's SpaceDataHighway

The European Data Relay System will allow the transmission of data from space at unprecedented quantities and speed. Copernicus Sentinel-1 and -2 will be the first operational satellites to use its innovative laser technology, enabling a true SpaceDataHighway. The project’s key players will discuss its future services and business opportunities.

EDRS is a public–private partnership between ESA and Airbus Defence and Space.

The roundtable will include representatives of future users, and be moderated by Magali Vaissiere, ESA’s Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, and Evert Dudok, Executive VP Communications, Intelligence & Security, Airbus.

09:30–10:45: The Rosetta mission: Discoveries and expectations

ESA’s Rosetta comet-chaser has captured the world’s imagination. It is the first mission in history to rendezvous with a comet, land and escort it during its journey around the Sun.

Members of the Rosetta team will provide an update on the mission, present some of the latest results, and outline what still lies ahead.

Speakers include: Mark McCaughrean, Senior Science Adviser, ESA; Elsa Montagnon, Deputy Rosetta Flight Director, ESA; Philippe Gaudon, CNES Philae project manager, CNES; Jean-Pierre Bibring, Lead Lander Scientist, IAS Orsay

11:00 - 12:00: Celebration of Luxembourg 10 years membership in ESA

In June 2005 Luxembourg became ESA's 17th Member State. On 17 June 2015 the Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister Etienne Schneider will celebrate 10 years of Luxembourg membership in ESA together with ESA's Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and with the participation of the President of the Luxembourg Space Cluster and of the Association of Aerospace Industries, GLAE, Yves Elsen at the ESA Pavillion at the Le Bourget Airshow.

15:00 - 15:45 ESA Business Incubator South of France 2nd Anniversary Event

The ESA BIC Sud France has been in place for just two years, and has already grown to be a very successful example of how young, innovative entrepreneurs can be supported in order to start and boost successful businesses using space technologies or space data in other fields of business. Nearly 20 start-up companies have already been incubated at the ESA BIC Sud France, demonstrating the numerous opportunities stemming from space technologies.

By fostering these start up companies ESA, together with local partners, helps to turn their ideas into reality while creating new jobs at the same time.

During the public days, media and the general public will have the opportunity to learn more about human spaceflight and operations activities.

Of special interest will be the presence of ESA astronauts Thomas Pesquet, who will talk about his training and upcoming mission in 2016, and Leopold Eyharts, who flew in 2008 and played a key role in the installation, activation and commissioning of ESA’s Columbus laboratory.

Other highlights include presentations on the Automatic Transfer Vehicle, the Rosetta mission, IXV and the asteroid impact mission.

All times are provisional. Check the ESA website for any updates.