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UK Cassini-Huygens Media briefing

May 25, 2004

UK Cassini-Huygens Media Briefing: Saturn's getting closer

Thursday 3rd June 2003
New Connaught Rooms, 61 - 65 Great Queen Street,
Covent Garden, London WC2B 5DA
10.30 - 12.00

You are invited to attend a background press briefing on the Cassini-Huygens mission which will focus on the science milestones that lie ahead and the UK science and industry involvement in the mission.

Cassini-Huygens has been travelling towards Saturn and Titan for the last seven years in which time it has passed by Venus (twice), Earth and Jupiter. On 1st July 2004 the spacecraft will enter Saturn's Orbit - a critical manoeuvre for the mission. Cassini will spend four years orbiting the planet carrying out science investigations on its atmosphere, rings and magnetosphere. The Huygens probe will be released on 25th December 2004 before descending onto the surface of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, on 14th January 2005.

This international mission is a joint venture between NASA, ESA and the Italian Space Agency. UK scientists are involved in 6 of the 12 instruments onboard the Cassini orbiter and 2 of the 6 experiments on the Huygens Probe, and have lead roles on 2 instruments.

Speakers will include:-
Dr Michele Dougherty, Imperial College
Professor Carl Murray, Queen Mary, University of London
Dr Andrew Coates, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, UCL
Professor John Zarnecki, Open University

Other scientists and representatives UK industry involved in the mission will be present and available for interview and comment.

Registration is from 10.00 a.m. for a 10.30 a.m. start. It is expected for the briefing to finish around 12 noon after which there will be interview opportunities and refreshments available.

Please note that a joint NASA/ESA press briefing is taking place later on 3rd June (4pm) following which new animations showing the Saturn Orbit Insertion manoeuvre will be available. This briefing can be watched on NASA and ESA TV and will be webcast. See notes to editors for further information.

Registration
To register please contact Becky Farncombe in the PPARC Press Office. Tel: 01793 442092 or email Becky.Farncombe@pparc.ac.uk

Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC)