Europe's contribution to the International Space Station ISS is through the European Space Agency (ESA) as an ISS partner. One of ESA's core contributions to the ISS is the Space laboratory Columbus. Columbus was developed, manufactured and tested in Bremen by the European Space company, Astrium, as industrial prime contractor to ESA. As Europe hardware launches of this magnitude are rare in Europe, it was a.challenge to produce a very special communication activity in addition to the classical communication instruments. The objectives of this special Astrium communications activity were manifold. Due to the strong German role in Columbus financing 40 % of the entire European ISS programme, this special Public Relations activity was focussed on Germany. The objectives lead to a new scenario: A journalist competition of high school students from all German Laender (constitutional regions) in cooperation with German regional newspapers from 2002 until 2004. After the Columbia disaster early 2003, the Columbus launch date was postponed, which required a change of the communication scenario. The paper presents the entire scenario of the student journalist competition. The objectives are shown, target groups are identified. Messages are elaborated as well as the cooperation mode with the regional newspapers. The paper looks at the implementation and elaborates the lessons learnt. An assessment indicates the potential of this scenario for other Space Public Relations purposes.
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