26 April 1993
An exciting and promising technique for using remote-sensing data is that of Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry, or INSAR. Using INSAR, it is possible to produce, directly from satellite data, detailed three-dimensional relief maps of the Earth's surface with an accuracy of better than ten metres. Moreover, an extension of the basic technique, known as Differential INSAR, allows the detection of very small (centimetre-scale) movements of land-surface features. Both techniques open up many new potential areas of application in cartography, volcanology and crustal dynamics (earthquake prediction).
The European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Space Agency (DARA) are pleased to invite you to a Press Conference on INSAR Results to be held in Cologne on 5 May 1993, 1100h - 1200h on the occasion of the Geotechnica'93 trade fair and congress. All the INSAR results have been obtained by scientists using data from ESA's ERS-1 satellite.
The press conference will take place at the "Kleiner Auensaal" of the Cologne Congress Centre, on the premises of the "K.lner Messe", Messeplatz, K.ln 21 (Germany); entry via the West entrance.
Panelists include :
The press kit is also available on request to those who cannot attend this event, and gives a detailed description of the INSAR technique along with photographic prints of typical results.
Simultaneous interpretation, English > German, will be provided.
Light refreshments will be served after the event.
Journalists wishing to attend the press conference are asked to return the attached form, if possible by fax on (+33)(1) 42 73 76 90, to ESA Public Relations, 8-10, rue Mario Nikis - F- 75015 PARIS.
Note to Editors
ESA participates at Geotechnica'93
The European Space Agency (ESA) has a stand of 250 sqm at the Geotechnica'93 trade fair at Cologne, 5-8 May 1993. This event is considered a unique worldwide forum for the geosciences and geotechnology; two years ago over 440 companies exhibited and there were more than 18 thousand professional visitors together with 300 accredited journalists. The main aim of ESA's participation in Geotechnica'93 is to present its Earth observation programme, and the unique results obtained by the ERS-1 satellite, to prospective new user communities.
The organisers invited ESA to display a full-scale model of ERS-1 in the entrance area of the exhibition hall, highlighting the fact that this ESA satellite plays a pivotal role in the geosciences. On the ESA stand, a model of the Envisat next- generation Earth observation satellite (1:4 scale) will be shown for the first time in Germany.
Specialists from ESRIN (ESA's establishment in Italy), from Eurimage (the commercial distributor of ERS-1 data), and from ESA Public Relations will be available for discussions with professional visitors, the general public and the media. Daily demonstrations will include the ERS-1 guide on CD- ROM, the DESC PC-software for displaying ERS-1 imaging radar coverage, and environmental databases accessible via telecommunications data links.