Ariel Science ground segment workshop - 2025

The Ariel Science Operations Centre (SOC) is hosting at ESAC the Ariel Mission Consortium (AMC) for a workshop on 29 September 2025 to progress with the Detailed Design Phase for the Science Ground Segment (SGS) activitiese.

The Ariel SGS is being developed under responsibility of the ESA SOC and the Instrument and Operations Science Data Centre (IOSDC) team of the AMC. This workshop aims to bring together the teams to advance the development of the SGS in multiple areas.

This workshop will be held in hybrid mode, offering in-person attendance and participating via video conference.

Program

The meeting will start on the morning of Monday 29 September (10:00 CEST), finishing ~19:00 CEST at the same day with the offer to participate in an evening event at ESAC.

The prelimunary agenda is as follows. Presentations will be made available during the workshop. Please note that two additional rooms are available throughout the day for splinter sessions. The agenda is subject to be updated / refined until or during the meeting day as deemed appropriate. 

Registration

Registration will open on the 15th July 2025. Deadline for registration is 15th September 2025.

The registration will be free of charge.

The number of participants will be limited. The ESA and AMC team leads will inform you whether your registration is confirmed shortly after registering.

Entering the ESAC site

When arriving at the main gate (by bus, taxi or private transportation), you will need to present a valid photo ID to the security guards. Only participants who are on their checklist are allowed to enter the site. The checklist is based on the information you have entered during online registration.

Code of Conduct

As the Local Organising Committee of the workshop, we assume that all participants share our commitment to create a meeting environment that values diversity and inclusion and therefore is free from harassment. We want to promote a diverse environment with respectful and courteous behaviour and therefore we expect all participants to adhere to our Code of Conduct.

ESA Conference Privacy notice

We would like to inform you that the personal data, provided by you in the scope of the registration process below, will be processed by ESA, for the purpose of managing your registration. You can find more information about the processing of your personal data in our Privacy Notice:   ESA Privacy Notice Ariel SGS Workshop 2025

Accommodation and Transport

Hotel

Hotel availability in Madrid is can be limited and early booking is recommended. ESAC is located some 30 km west of Madrid and it will thus be best to search for a hotel in the western parts of Madrid. We will not block hotel rooms for the conference in any particular hotel.

Useful links to find budget hotels:

• https://www.booking.com
• https://www.tripadvisor.com
• https://www.tripadvisor.com/HotelsList-Madrid-Cheap-Hotels-zfp10446.html
• https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/spain/madrid/articles/best-cheap-hotels-in-madrid/
• https://www.introducingmadrid.com/where-to-stay

Transport

A shuttle bus service will be provided free of charge for transport between Madrid and ESAC and back to Madrid for the day of the meeting. The departure location of the bus will be in front of the

Please note that it is not required to stay at this hotel to make use of the shuttle bus. The location is also near several metro stations, particularly Moncloa (exit: Arcipreste de Hita). Please note that the foresee bus shuttle times below might still see an update. It will be provided to the workshop participants well in advance of the workshop. 

Departure times: 8:45 (tbc)

Return times from ESAC to the Hotel Moncloa Exe: 21:30 (tbc)

Please note that the times above are indicated as CEST.

For participants needing a taxi to leave from ESAC, you will be given a dedicated form to fill to be assisted with booking at the start of the workshop.

Lunch break

The lunch breaks will take place from 13:30 to 14:30 (tbc). During this time, a meal can be purchased in the ESAC canteen. Microwaves are also available for heating up food brought from outside.

Social Activities

There is a social gathering foreseen after the meeting day including an evening cocktail at ESAC. Furhter details will follow.

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Anja Hofmann (ESA)

Stephan Birkmann (ESA)

Chris Pearson (UKRI STFC RAL Space)

Giuseppe Malaguti (INAF OAS Bologna)