ESA astronaut Frank De Winne

ESA astronaut Frank De Winne

(REPOST – first published 2.02.2011) A quick promotion for the upcoming ATV media briefing to be held in Germany at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Cologne on 9 February.

The event will be an excellent backgrounder on the vessel and will include ATV programme expert Hans Peter Leiseifer, ESA’s lead Mission Director Kris Capelle from ATV-CC and two ESA astronauts: Frank De Winne and Alexander Gerst.

While it’s in Germany, the briefing will be held in English, and questions can be answered in EN, DE, F, NL (and probably one or two other languages).

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst

ESA Mission Director Kris Capelle ATV-CC (standing)

ESA Mission Director Kris Capelle ATV-CC (standing)

And, of course, bloggers are welcome to attend!

Full details, contact information and access to online registration after the jump.

Original DE text here

The European space transporter ATV Johannes Kepler is due for launch to the International Space Station (ISS) onboard an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou on 15 February. In preparation, ESA will hold a press briefing on 9 February at the EAC in Cologne.

The ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) is one of the main European contributions to the ISS. It is used to supply the ISS with fuel, oxygen, food and other goods such. The ATV is also used to control the space station’s altitude by making any necessary orbital adjustments.

Johannes Kepler is the second ATV mission of its kind after the successful Jules Verne mission in 2008.

Media representatives are invited to gain background knowledge and mission details for Johannes Kepler.

Wednesday, 9 February 2011
10:30 until 13:30

European Astronaut Centre ESA/EAC
on the premises of the DLR
Linder Höhe
51147 Köln (Porz-Wahn)

ESA experts such as the ATV Mission Director, Kris Capelle, and the Head of ATV System Engineering Production, Hans Peter Leiseifer, will present this extraordinary unmanned spacecraft and its important function for the operation of the International Space Station.

ESA astronaut Frank De Winne, the first European commander of the ISS will explain the 1:1 ATV training model in Cologne and the tasks of the ISS crew on arrival of the ATV to the ISS.

German ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst will describe the intense ATV astronaut training, which takes place at the EAC in Cologne.

Programme:

10:00 Doors open

10:30 Media Briefing (in English)

“The ATV-2 Flight Segment ”
Hans Peter Leiseifer, ESA Head of ATV System Engineering Production

“ATV-2 Operations: Up to the ISS and Back”
Kris Capelle, ESA ATV Mission Director

Q&A

12:30 Astronaut Training Centre:
Opportunity for photos, television coverage and interviews in the 1:1 ATV training model

Frank de Winne, ESA Astronaut (BE)
Alexander Gerst, ESA Astronaut (D)
Kris Capelle, ATV Mission Director (BE)
Hans Peter Leiseifer, Head of ATV System Engineering Production (D)

(Interviews can be conducted in English, French, Dutch and German.)

13:30 End of event

TV crews can film in the large training hall of the European Astronaut Centre. On request, we will be happy to send relevant footage in advance by FTP.

Please register online until Monday, February 7 via:
https://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMRLCDR5GG_index_0.html

For background information on the ATV see https://www.esa.int/atv

For more information on this event please contact:

Andreas Schepers
Communication Officer, ESA/ESOC
Tel: +49 6151 – 90 2546
andreas.schepers@esa.int

Jules Grandsire
PR & Communication Office, ESA/EAC
Tel: +49 2203 6001 205
jules.grandsire@esa.int