VEGA staff awarded ESA commendations

13 December 2010 – VEGA staff have been involved in two commendations, one from the European Space Agency (ESA) in recognition of their efforts and achievements with regard to the dual Herschel Planck mission, the other by Europlanet presented to the ESA team involved in the Mars Visual Monitoring Camera (VMC), the “Mars Webcam”.

The first commendation was an “ESA Award for Corporate Team Achievement” presented to the ESA Herschel/Planck Programme team including VEGA staff based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), in recognition of their contribution to the success of the Herschel Planck mission. The Award was presented by Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General, ESA, at the ‘De Oude Raadzaal’ Building, a historic building in The Hague.

The second commendation was a ‘Special Mention’ presented to an ESA team which includes VEGA engineers, by the Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement 2010, relating to the Mars VMC. The award is presented to individuals or groups who have developed innovative practices in planetary science communication, and whose efforts have significantly contributed to a wider public engagement with planetary science. VEGA staff were given this ‘Special Mention’ at the European Planetary Science Congress in Rome.

Peter Young, VEGA’s Director for Space, said: “VEGA staff have been at the heart of ESA’s programmes for over 30 years and we are always delighted when our staff receive recognition for their work and effort. The Herschel Planck mission has been a huge success and has provided the scientific community with data and information beyond original expectations. The Mars VMC project, often referred to as an ordinary camera in an extraordinary location, aims to bring some of the excitement of planetary exploration directly to educational institutions. I too would like to congratulate our staff.”

Further information
For further information, please contact Karen Rogers on karen.rogers@vega.co.uk.