Scientists meet to review Envisat results after two and a half years of operations

From 6 to 10 September in Salzburg, Austria, over 700 scientists from 50
countries worldwide will meet to review and discuss the early results of the
European Space Agency’s Envisat satellite mission.

The main objective of the Symposium is to provide a forum for investigators
to present results of ongoing research project activities and to review and
assess the development of applications and services. Scientists and
operational users of Envisat data working in the framework of international,
ESA and national projects will present preliminary results from the Envisat
mission and also the scientific benefits of the 13-year ERS missions.

The Symposium will address almost all fields of Earth science, including
atmosphere, coastal studies, radar and interferometry, winds and waves,
vegetation and agriculture, landslides, natural risks, gas mapping, ocean
colour, oil spills and ice.

There are to be over 650 papers, selected by peer review. Presentations
will include results from Envisat on the Prestige oil spill, fires in
Portugal in 2003, the Elbe flooding in 2002, the evolution of the Antarctic
ozone hole since the launch of Envisat, the Bam earthquake and pollution in
Europe.

Numerous demonstrations are planned during the week in the ESA Exhibit area.
An industrial consortium exhibit on GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment
and Security) is also planned.

The official opening of the Symposium is scheduled for 6 September at 2.30
p.m. Mr Eduard Mainoni, Secretary of State at the Austrian Federal Ministry
of Transport, Innovation and Technology, will give the welcoming address,
followed by ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and ESA Director of
Earth Observation Programmes José Achache.

Launched in March 2002, Envisat is the most powerful means ever created of
monitoring the state of the planet and the impact of our activities on our
world. It carries ten sophisticated optical and radar instruments to
observe and monitor the Earth’s land, atmosphere, oceans and ice caps,
maintaining continuity with the Agency’s ERS missions started in 1991.

Envisat data collectively provide a wealth of information on the workings of
the Earth system, including insights into factors contributing to climate
change. The satellite supports research activities and government
programmes in the fields of global change, pollution and disaster
monitoring, and commercial applications.

For further information, please contact:

Envisat Mission Manager

Henri Laur

ESA/ESRIN

Tel.: + 39.06.9418.0361

ESA/ESRIN Communications Office

Simonetta Cheli

Tel. + 39.06.9418.0350