16 May 2001

Its purpose is to identify the European potential in exo/astrobiology and develop new avenues for cooperation and projects in this field, and more particularly to strengthen the European network in exo/astrobiology, encourage young scientists to participate in this field of research, and develop a perspective for longer-term research, especially in relation to human missions to Mars.

The workshop will be in six distinct sessions addressing the following topics:

• national and international activities in exo/astrobiology,
• life in the extremes, terrestrial analogues for extraterrestrial habitats,
• ingredients and chemistry of primitive life,
• extraterrestrial/extrasolar habitability,
• nature and search for life in the solar system and beyond, and
• search for life in the Solar System (missions).

In addition to the plenary sessions, group discussions will be organised in splinter meetings and poster sessions.

Media representatives are invited to attend the morning session of the opening day (Monday 21 May, 09h00 - 13h15). Lunch will be provided for the media, and ESA and European scientists will be available for interviews.

Media representatives wishing to attend are kindly requested to complete the form attached to the Press Release and return it by fax to the ESA/ESRIN Communication Office (Simonetta Cheli, Fax No: + 39 06 94180352).

More details are available at the following Web address: http://www.estec.esa.nl/conferences/01C17/index.html

For further information, please contact: Simonetta Cheli
Head of the Public and Institutional Relations Office
Tel.: + 39 06 94180350
Fax: + 39 06 94180352