ESA reports on status of INTEGRAL at Irish conference
4 October 2001 - 4 October 2001
The European Space Agency (ESA) will give an update on the status of INTEGRAL, its International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory spacecraft, at a press conference in Dublin, Ireland, on 4 October. The event, organised by the ESA, Enterprise Ireland and the Royal Irish Academy, will also present Irish involvement in the mission.
INTEGRAL's main objective will be to detect and study the source of gamma rays, the most energetic form of space radiation, with unprecedented accuracy. It is hoped the spacecraft's studies will allow greater understanding of gamma-ray bursts - powerful but little-understood cosmic explosions.
INTEGRAL, the world's only dedicated gamma ray mission, will also provide new information on stellar explosions, black holes and the formation of elements.
The INTEGRAL spacecraft is currently undergoing environmental tests at ESA's Technical and Research Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands. The launch, on a Russian proton rocket from Baïkonour, is scheduled for October 2002.
Speakers at the press conference will include Professor David Southwood, ESA's Director of Science and Mr. Noel Treacy, Ireland's Minister for Commerce, science and technology.For further information, please contact:
Media Relations Office
ESA Communication Department
Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155
Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690
Ruth Hegarty
Royal Irish Academy
Tel: +353 1 638 0918
Fax: +353 1 676 2346
E-mail: r.hegarty@ria.ie
INTEGRAL's main objective will be to detect and study the source of gamma rays, the most energetic form of space radiation, with unprecedented accuracy. It is hoped the spacecraft's studies will allow greater understanding of gamma-ray bursts - powerful but little-understood cosmic explosions.
INTEGRAL, the world's only dedicated gamma ray mission, will also provide new information on stellar explosions, black holes and the formation of elements.
The INTEGRAL spacecraft is currently undergoing environmental tests at ESA's Technical and Research Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands. The launch, on a Russian proton rocket from Baïkonour, is scheduled for October 2002.
Speakers at the press conference will include Professor David Southwood, ESA's Director of Science and Mr. Noel Treacy, Ireland's Minister for Commerce, science and technology.For further information, please contact:
Media Relations Office
ESA Communication Department
Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155
Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690
Ruth Hegarty
Royal Irish Academy
Tel: +353 1 638 0918
Fax: +353 1 676 2346
E-mail: r.hegarty@ria.ie