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Science & Exploration

N° 54–2023: Media advisory: ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt upcoming mission

9 November 2023

In preparation of the upcoming launch of Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) and with media accreditation for the launch now open, ESA invites you to meet ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, on Wednesday 15 November.

Marcus Wandt is currently preparing for his first mission to the International Space Station. He will be a mission specialist on Ax-3. Marcus’s mission, called Muninn, is supported by ESA and the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA). The mission will last up to 14 days, in which Marcus will take part in microgravity research and educational outreach activities.

The Ax-3 crew will launch on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the Space Station from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida no earlier than January 2024. Media accreditation for the launch of Ax-3 crew is now open, further information can be found below.

Media who are unable to attend the press conference at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in person are invited to join and ask questions via a dedicated online platform.

Programme: Wednesday 15 November (all times CET)

13:15 – 13:45           Arrival at EAC

14:00 – 15:00           Press Conference (including Q&A)

                                Matthias Maurer, Deputy Head of EAC and astronaut

                                Marcus Wandt, ESA project astronaut

                                Moderation: Daniel Scuka, ESA Communications Department

15:00 – 15:15           Photo opportunity

15:30 – 17:00           One-to-one interview opportunities with Marcus Wandt and EAC astronaut training experts

17:00                       End of programme

Location: ESA/EAC

Linder Hoehe
D-51147 Cologne
Germany
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/EAC/How_to_reach_us

Media registration for the press conference

Media representatives are invited to register their attendance (in-person or online) by Monday 13 November 2023, 18:00 CET via https://blogs.esa.int/forms/esa-media-briefing-form/ .

Requests for one-to-one interviews (on-site only) should be requested via media@esa.int . Please clearly state if you would like to interview Marcus and/or an astronaut training expert.

The media information session will also be streamed via esawebtv.esa.int.

For further information please contact ESA Media Relations via media@esa.int .

Media accreditation deadlines for Axiom-3 launch (all times CET)

  • International media without US citizenship must apply by 05:59 Saturday 25 November and must also provide a photocopy of their passport or visa to media@axiomspace.com before the deadline.
  • US media must apply by 05:59 Saturday 23 December.

All non-US citizens must apply for credentials by completing this form. Follow these instructions to complete the accreditation process.

All US Media must apply for credentials by completing this form.

All information submitted on the form must be accurate and complete or the request will not be considered. Please note there is no guarantee that on-base access will be available for this mission.  

REQUIREMENTS: Two forms of valid government ID are required; one of them must be a photo ID. Please refer to this list for acceptable forms: + List of Acceptable Documents to Accompany a Federal or State Identification.   

For questions about accreditation or for any special logistical requests, please email media@axiomspace.com.  

More information on Marcus Wandt

Follow Marcus’ space journey on ESA’s Exploration blogX and Instagram

Images

https://www.esa.int/esearch?q=Marcus+Wandt+images

Muninn mission patch and name:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2023/06/Muninn_mission_patch_and_name

Muninn photo album for professionals:
https://photolibrary.esa.int/collection/?sid=lbmaq1zyh

ESA's Photo Library for Professionals:
https://www.esa-photolibrary.com/

Terms and conditions for using ESA images:
www.esa.int/spaceinimages/ESA_Multimedia/Copyright_Notice_Images

For questions or more information related to ESA images, please contact directly spaceinimages@esa.int.

Videos

https://www.esa.int/esearch?q=Marcus+Wandt+videos

B-rolls for media, in English and Swedish:
https://www.esa.int/esatv/Videos/2023/09/Marcus_Wandt_Muninn_mission_training

ESA's Video Library for Professionals:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos

Terms and conditions for using ESA videos:
https://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Terms_and_Conditions

Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esaastro_marcus/

X: https://twitter.com/astro_marcus

Follow ESA on:

X : @esa @esaspaceflight

Instagram: Europeanspaceagency

Facebook: EuropeanSpaceAgency

YouTube: ESA

About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia are Associate Members.

ESA has established formal cooperation with four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.

Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int

For further information:

ESA Newsroom and Media Relations Office, Lorraine Conroy

Email: media@esa.int