EUSJA has got an invitation on behalf of the Copernicus institutions based in the United Kingdom – the European Space Agency (ESA), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), the Satellite Applications Catapult, and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Science journalists are invited to a press tour on 31th January 2017. Up to 14 seats will be available to the EUSJA members on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
This is a bespoke event for journalists explaining how Copernicus unlocks the potential of technology to help countries respond to climate change and resilience challenges in key sectors such as Energy, Health, Insurance and Urban planning.
Scientific institutions and private companies are major partners and contributors to the Copernicus programme because of their recognised scientific and technical expertise. During this press tour you will visit Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire and Shinfield Park in Berkshire to explore:
• ESA’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT),
• RAL Space at STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory,
• Satellite Applications Catapult
• The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
The tour will provide opportunities to visit the facilities, speak to scientists, see data and analysis, and learn more about satellite data’s real world contributions and the services Copernicus is developing.
You will experience how:
• The Copernicus programme, the first integrated network of its kind – built on cooperation between agencies across the globe – is bringing evidence to the climate debate to inform policy and secure our economic future.
• Partners across the earth observation sector are making important contributions to this programme through their expertise and technology including playing a key role in delivering the European Union’s Sentinel Satellite Network.
• Through Copernicus, the Sentinel Satellite Network and other programmes, UK developed satellite technology is already helping governments respond to environmental, health, resilience and economic challenges.
Please note that the organizer does not cover the tickets to and from UK, but will pay for accommodation and transfers to and from airport within the UK. Transport from Reading to the locations will be provided.
To register, fill in the accreditation form before 13 January 2017 indicating EUSJA membership:
http://copernicus-satellite-facilities-press-tour.eventbrite.co.uk
Agenda
Tuesday, 31 January
9:30 – Pick up of participants at Novotel Reading Centre, transfer to Harwell Campus
10:20 – Welcome coffee at ESA’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT)
10:35 – Welcome address, European Commission (10min)
10:45 – Copernicus Space Component, Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes
11:00 – Introduction to Satellite Applications, Mark Hampson, Daniel Wicks – Satellite Applications Catapult
11:15 – Visit of Catapult Control Room and demonstration of satellite applications
12:00 – Transfer to RAL Space
12:15 – Visit of Copernicus testing laboratories at RAL Space
12:45 pm – 13:30 LUNCH at RALSpace
13:30 – Transfer to ECMWF; Showcase Copernicus data visualisation tool
14:30 – Weather Room
• Welcome, Florence Rabier, Director-General ECMWF (5 min)
• Overview Weather Wall, Timothy Hewson, Scientist Forecast Performance and Products, ECMWF (5 min)
• Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, Vincent-Henri Peuch, Head of Service, ECMWF (10 min)
• Copernicus Climate Change Service, Jean-Noel Thepaut, Head of Service, ECMWF (10 min)
15:00 – ECMWF Supercomputer Hall, Isabella Weger, Deputy Director Computing, ECMWF and Dr Umberto Modigliani, Head, User Support Forecasting Department ECMWF
15:30 – ECMWF Council Room
• Questions & Answers, Juan Garcés de Marcilla, Director ECMWF Copernicus Services
16:00 – Shuttle to Reading Station / Hotel
16:30 – Individual departure at Reading station
It is recommended that journalists arrive in Reading on Monday 30 January. Return will be facilitated on Tuesday 31 January, after the visit, or on Wednesday 1 February. The accommodation could be provided for January 30 and 31