ESA astronaut Frank De Winne, from Belgium, will soon finish training at
ESA’s space research and technology centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands on
some of the scientific facilities he will have to work on during his
flight to the International Space Station next October. On Thursday 6
June, media representatives are invited to learn more about some of the
training phases and to carry out interviews.

On the same occasion, in the presence of Mr Charles Picqué, Belgian
Minister for Scientific Research, Mr Yvan Ylieff, Belgian Commissioner in
charge of Scientific Policy and Mr Ernst Messerschmid, Head of ESA’s
European Astronaut Centre, the mission’s name and logo will be unveiled
(see attached programme).

Frank De Winne will be flight engineer on a Soyuz “taxi flight” to the
International Space Station, an 8 to 10-day mission scheduled for late
October, and funded by the Belgian Federal Office for Scientific,
Technical and Cultural Affairs (OSTC). The main purposes of the mission
will be to replace the Russian Soyuz vehicle, which serves as the
emergency rescue craft for the Station’s crew, with a modernised version
(Soyuz TM-A), to carry out substantial scientific experiment programme and
promote valuable international cooperation.

The next Space Shuttle to lift off to the International Space Station
(target launch date: 30 May) will be carrying an important piece of
European hardware: the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG). The ESA
Glovebox will be used in October by Frank De Winne and will enable
astronauts to handle a variety of materials and perform experiments on
combustion, fluids and biotechnology safely in a microgravity environment.
It can also be used to carry out minor repairs and service hardware where
necessary.

The MSG facility was built for NASA for a projected operational life of 10
years and will be initially fitted in the United States Laboratory
(Destiny). Development of the MSG was contracted to Astrium (D). Bradford
Engineering (NL) built the main elements of the facility, supported by
Verhaert Design & Development (B), Atos-Origin (NL) and Laben (I).

Media representatives wishing to attend the media day at ESA/ESTEC on 6
June are kindly requested to fill out the attached accreditation from and
fax it back to :

Heidi Graf, Head of Corporate Communication Office

ESA/ESTEC , Noordwijk , the Netherlands

Tel. + 31 71 565 3006

Fax. + 31 71 565 5728

For further information, please contact :

Sophie Goeminne, Press Officer

Cabinet of the Minister for Scientific Research – Brussels

Tel: +32 (0) 2.506.5753

Fax: +32 (0) 2.513.0450

Media Day for ESA astronaut Frank De Winne

Training and unveiling of official name and mission logo

Erasmus building, ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands – Keplerlaan 1

10:30 Registration and coffee

11:15 Welcome and Introduction to ESA contributions to the International
Space Station, by Ernst Messerschmid

11:30 Training for the mission and presentation on the Microgravity
Scientific Glovebox, by Frank De Winne

11:45 Unveiling of mission logo by Frank De Winne ,Minister Picquè,
Commissioner Ylieff and E. Messerschmid

11:50 Statements Minister Picquè, Commissioner Ylieff, E. Messerschmid

12:05 Question/Answer session

12:30 Photo opportunities at Microgravity Scientific Glovebox and
around other elements of the User Information Centre for the
International Space Station

13:00 Transfer of media to main building

13:15 Buffet lunch and occasion for individual interviews with Frank De
Winne

14:30 End of event/departure

0ption

14:30-15:15 Visit to “Jules Verne”, the automated transfer vehicle serving
as Europe’s space truck to the ISS, currently undergoing tests in the
ESA Test Centre. 

Media Day for ESA astronaut Frank De Winne

Training  and unveiling of official name and  mission logo

Erasmus building, ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands  - Keplerlaan 1



Name : ____________.  Forename :   ____________

Media :  ____________
Address :    ____________

                   ____________

                   ____________


Tel :     ____________  Fax :   ____________

Mobile :  ____________   E-mail :  ____________.


(  )	will participate in the media day for ESA astronaut Frank De Winne

(  )	will not participate


Please fax this form back to :
Heidi Graf
Head of Corporate Communication Office
ESA/ESTEC
Tel: +31(0)71.565.3006
Fax : +31(0)71.565.5728