With the aid of two radar antennas, the satellite will be able not only to determine the extent of the polar ice masses, but also their precise thickness. In addition, the radar satellite data will help explain the connection between the melting of the polar ice and the rise in sea levels. On this occasion, ESA will organise a launch event at ESA/ESRIN in Frascati, Italy, from 15:30 to 20:00. A live televised transmission of the launch will bring images from Plesetsk and mission control at ESA/ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany, to broadcasters and the general public.

ESA senior management and specialists will be on hand at ESRIN for explanations and interviews.

All live transmissions are carried free-to-air. For broadcasters, complete details of the various satellite feeds (on Eutelsat W2) are listed at http://television.esa.int.

For the general public, a launch transmission via Astra 1G has again been organised, with all schedule and transmission details online at http://television.esa.in/photos/Astra.pdf.

Media representatives wishing to follow the event at ESA/ESRIN, or the rebroadcast transmission at the ESA establishments, are requested to fill in the registration form and to fax it back to the place of their choice.

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Contact: Franco Bonacina
media@esa.int
33-015-369-7155
European Space Agency
29-Sep-2005