Edinburgh to host ESA ministerial council
14 November 2002 - 14 November 2002
The eighth European Space Agency (ESA) ministerial council will take place in Edinburgh, UK, on 14 and 15 November 2001.
Ministers responsible for space activities in the 15 EU Member States will meet to set the future direction for Europe's space programmes. Delegates will endorse the next stages of a series of ongoing programmes in areas such as launchers, space science, earth observation telecommunications satellite navigation and human spaceflight, and agree on new programmes for future space research and activities. Existing programmes, such as GMES, Galileo and exploitation of the International Space Station, and future plans such as the Aurora planetary exploitation programme will be proposed for approval.
The City of Edinburgh will organise a programme of space-related events to coincide with the ESA council. This includes a week-long space festival for children at the Dynamic Earth visitor centre, a 'Europe in Space' exhibition at the City Art Centre and an Edinburgh Lecture Series on the theme of 'Frontiers' from November 2001 to February 2002.
A full-scale model of ESA's Envisat satellite will be on display in front of a dynamic Earth from 13 October to 18 November. Envisat, the world's largest and most sophisticated Earth observation platform, is due to be launched early next year by Ariane 5. It will monitor planet Earth and provide the first 3D pictures of the processes which shape the global environment.
On 18 October, the ESA will celebrate 'space day' in Edinburgh by awarding the city the 'European space city' award. ESA astronaut Claude Nicollier will present the award, which was created to honour cities for exceptional contributions to the promotion of European space activities.For further information, please consult the following web address:
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/0XGVCKSC_index_0.html(opens in new window)
Ministers responsible for space activities in the 15 EU Member States will meet to set the future direction for Europe's space programmes. Delegates will endorse the next stages of a series of ongoing programmes in areas such as launchers, space science, earth observation telecommunications satellite navigation and human spaceflight, and agree on new programmes for future space research and activities. Existing programmes, such as GMES, Galileo and exploitation of the International Space Station, and future plans such as the Aurora planetary exploitation programme will be proposed for approval.
The City of Edinburgh will organise a programme of space-related events to coincide with the ESA council. This includes a week-long space festival for children at the Dynamic Earth visitor centre, a 'Europe in Space' exhibition at the City Art Centre and an Edinburgh Lecture Series on the theme of 'Frontiers' from November 2001 to February 2002.
A full-scale model of ESA's Envisat satellite will be on display in front of a dynamic Earth from 13 October to 18 November. Envisat, the world's largest and most sophisticated Earth observation platform, is due to be launched early next year by Ariane 5. It will monitor planet Earth and provide the first 3D pictures of the processes which shape the global environment.
On 18 October, the ESA will celebrate 'space day' in Edinburgh by awarding the city the 'European space city' award. ESA astronaut Claude Nicollier will present the award, which was created to honour cities for exceptional contributions to the promotion of European space activities.For further information, please consult the following web address:
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/0XGVCKSC_index_0.html(opens in new window)