French-Swedish cooperation: achievements and prospects
21 November 2005
Sweden and France have been working hand in hand in space for a long time. Joint initiatives have included the Odin minisatellite and numerous balloon flight campaigns.
Today, space stakeholders in both countries are looking to underline and give fresh impetus to this collaboration, with a symposium for professionals and space enthusiasts on 12 December.
Today, space stakeholders in both countries are looking to underline and give fresh impetus to this collaboration, with a symposium for professionals and space enthusiasts on 12 December.
A solid bedrock of shared experience
Sweden and France have been working together in space for more than 20 years now. The 2 most noteworthy joint endeavours accomplished in that time by CNES and its counterpart the Swedish Space Corporation have been stratospheric balloon flights and the Odin minisatellite.
Balloon flights campaign at Kiruna, in nothern Sweden ; credits CNES/P.Cocquerez
Stratospheric balloon flight campaigns are staged regularly out of the Kiruna launch base in Sweden, near the Esrange space centre, to study the polar region.
Balloons today occupy a unique place in scientific research, especially for studying the stratosphere, and are opening up new avenues for exploration.
Artist's impression of minisatellite Odin launched in February 2001 ; credits CNES
Launched in 2001 and still in service, Odin is serving both Earth-atmosphere scientists and astronomers, able to train its eye on the planet as well as celestial phenomena such as star formation and comets.
A symposium for Swedish Christmas
In recent years, Sweden has started organizing a “Swedish December” in France.
The emphasis this year is on French-Swedish space cooperation. It was therefore only natural that interested parties from science, academia and business should meet to chart future partnership prospects in this area.
The emphasis this year is on French-Swedish space cooperation. It was therefore only natural that interested parties from science, academia and business should meet to chart future partnership prospects in this area.
To this end, a symposium will be bringing together space stakeholders from Sweden and France, alongside all those interested in developing space technologies under cooperation initiatives between the 2 countries.
The Kiruna launch base ; credits CNES
It is hoped a large number of students will take part.
Photos, videos—including pictures of the aurora borealis—and even a full-scale balloon will illustrate major French-Swedish accomplishments.
The Observatoire de Paris is also offering a private guided tour of its prestigious, historic facilities.
The Observatoire de Paris is also offering a private guided tour of its prestigious, historic facilities.
Credits CNES
While the symposium is open to allcomers with a passion for space, it will above all provide an opportunity for many students to think about embracing a career in international scientific research—and why not in Sweden?
Practical information
French-Swedish cooperation: achievements and prospects
Symposium, 12 December 2005
8.45 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.
Observatoire de Paris - Salle Cassini
61, avenue de l'Observatoire
75014 PARIS
Seating is limited, so if you wish to attend the symposium please communicate your name, organization and postal address to the Swedish Embassy no later than Friday 25 November.
You will receive an invitation, which will be required at the door to gain entry.
Please indicate if you wish to go on the guided tour of the Observatory.
E-mails to ambassaden.paris-press@foreign.ministry.se
Symposium, 12 December 2005
8.45 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.
Observatoire de Paris - Salle Cassini
61, avenue de l'Observatoire
75014 PARIS
Seating is limited, so if you wish to attend the symposium please communicate your name, organization and postal address to the Swedish Embassy no later than Friday 25 November.
You will receive an invitation, which will be required at the door to gain entry.
Please indicate if you wish to go on the guided tour of the Observatory.
E-mails to ambassaden.paris-press@foreign.ministry.se
More information
For more information, contact:
Press Relations, Swedish Embassy in France:
+33 (0)1.44.18.88.00
www.amb-suede.fr
Press Relations, Swedish Embassy in France:
+33 (0)1.44.18.88.00
www.amb-suede.fr
