Press Briefing Invitation – Cluster – Europe’s mission to study space weather

Mr Mark Wells
Particle Physics & Astronomy Research Council
01793 442100
mark_wells@pparc.ac.uk

Europe’s Cluster II mission will be the first mission to fly four spacecraft in formation. The spacecraft will be launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in two pairs from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in July and August this year.

PPARC funded UK scientists are playing major roles in the mission that will revolutionise our understanding of the Sun’s influence on the earth’s upper atmosphere by flying four highly equipped ‘space weather stations’. It will study the region of space that our satellites and astronauts work in.

Cluster’s findings will tell us clearly what dangers they face from solar storms and should lead to more robust satellites and a safer environment for astronauts.This pre-launch briefing is an opportunity to speak with the PPARC funded UK scientists before they depart for Kazakhstan to oversee the final preparations and launches.

Date: Wednesday 28th June 2000

Venue: New Connaught Rooms, Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5DA (Stafford Room, Fourth Floor)

Programme, chaired by Dr Paul Murdin, PPARC
10.30 – Coffee and Registration
11.00- 11.30 – Briefing commences
11.30 – Questions and answers – Photographs and Interviews
12.00 – Lunch

Speakers:
Dr Andrew Fazakerley – (Mullard Space Science Laboratory)
Dr Hugo Alleyne – (University of Sheffield)
Dr Manuel Grande – (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

For further information and to confirm your attendance please contact the PPARC Publicity Team. Tel: 01793 442012, Fax: 01793 442002, email pr.pus@pparc