German Chancellor congratulates ESA on 30 years of innovation

June 6, 2005

Brussels, 03 Jun 2005

German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has identified the European Space Agency (ESA) as 'a motor for European innovation across the globe'.

Mr Schröder was speaking during a visit to ESA's Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, organised to mark the 30th anniversary of ESA.

'Complex ESA programmes like Envisat for Earth observation and the future navigation system Galileo are a clear expression of the fact that Europe should and does take an international technological leadership role in space and beyond. I am [...] proud of this,' said the Chancellor.

ESA spacecraft controlled from Darmstadt include Cassini-Huygens and Mars Express, and the Envisat Earth Observation satellite. The forthcoming Cryosat mission will also be managed from the German centre. Cryosat will provide precise measurements of continental and oceanic ice thickness in order to provide accurate answers to questions on melting ice caps and global warming.

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In introducing the German Chancellor to an audience at the Darmstadt centre, ESA Director-General Jean-Jacques Dordain referred to the agency's achievements since its birth in 1975: '30 years of ESA means 30 years of success. Every single European citizen profits from space, whether from global telecommunications, weather forecasting or climate monitoring. We are the only agency simultaneously orbiting the Earth, orbiting Mars, orbiting the Moon and flying after comets. We will be judged in 10 or 20 years on technological investments we make today.'

Mr Schröder assisted controllers in Darmstadt deploying the 40 metre MARSIS boom antenna onboard Mars Express, which is expected to help confirm the presence of water below the Martian surface. He was presented with an honorary 'Satellite Controller' certificate for his efforts.

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CORDIS RTD-NEWS / © European Communities
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