The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is organised each year by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and its associates. IAC 2006 is being held in Valencia's City of Arts, attended by over 2500 delegates - including the heads of all the major space agencies, industry, academia the media and the space-interested public. For organisations like ESA this is an excellent opportunity to share the latest information on current and future space projects and programmes. The ESA exhibition "from Earth to Space and back" takes visitors on a journey of discovery, with highlights of the European space programme, and is open to both professionals and the general public. This year there is a special focus on students and young space professionals, with lectures and presentations, as well as the opportunity to meet with leading figures in the space world.

ESA at the IAC in Valencia

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Herschel will share its launch with a partner, the Planck microwave space observatory, as it begins its journey to its destination in space. The two satellites are now undergoing their final tests before launch

Herschel and Planck

With a growing global population ensuring food security in the world's poorer countries is a major concern – one that is being eased the help of data from Earth observation satellites such as Envisat

Food and satellites: Keeping an eye on food production

On 25 and 26 November in The Hague, Ministers in charge of space activities within the now 18 ESA Member States and Canada meet to define the role of space in delivering Europe's global objectives

Ministerial conference: Interview with ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain

Since the very first satellites carrying scientific instruments were launched, our understanding of the cosmos has improved. The Sun is studied to the core and, beyond our star, the Universe is becoming less obscure

ESA Science: past and future

The successful docking of the European Columbus module and the launch of the Automated Transfer Vehicle have opened a new era for Europe’s presence in space with the aspiration to consolidate its independence

ESA at the IAC in Valencia

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