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LATEST NEWS!
Registration for the ESOC internal event is now closed, since the maximum capacity has been reached (by far)! All those who can't get inside can join for breakfast at the Train Station and sign the logbook (to get the Geocaching in Space certificate).
APPOINTMENT FROM 7.00 AT ERICH ZEISS, inside the hall of the station, there are many tables we can use)
PLEASE THOSE WHO INTEND TO COME FOR BREAKFAST AT THE STATION LOG A "WILL ATTEND" so that I know more or less who I should meet there ;-)
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LIVE STREAMING OF THE LAUNCH
Those who can't join the event can still follow the launch in live web streaming on NASA TV: www.nasa.gov/ntv
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ESA is the European Space Agency, and ESOC (European Space Operation Centre, in Darmstadt) is the ESA establishment which is in charge of operating all ESA spacecraft.
You can get more information on ESA at www.esa.int
The event will take place inside the ESOC premises, and all participants will have to register in advance by providing their Name and Family Name. A valid personal identification document with picture needs to be presented at the main gate, in order to get a visitor badge and be able to attend the event.
The idea is to get together at 4.15 at the Listing coordinates (Robert-Bosch-Strasse 5), allow max 30' for the registration of all participants, and then proceed to the equipped room where we'll be able to see the launch in webstreaming on a big TV screen.
This unique opportunity could be exploited to know a bit more about ESA and ESOC in particular, and a log book will be available for the intrepid geocachers who dare to get up that early 
There may be restrictions in the number of possible participants to the event (say max 30 people), in case there are too many "will attend" the order of subscription will define the priority list.
The event is of course free of charge, but on the other side there is little to be offered as breakfast at that time in the morning and we can always go to the Hauptbahnhof afterwards for a warm croissant!
The event will be supported by voluntary ESA personnel (like me) and languages at the event will be German, English, Italian, Spanish or whatever you want to speak
IMPORTANT NOTE: the launch could be delayed or even cancelled until the last minute (as all launches!) but our event would take place anyway. There is something interesting we can do in any case!
More details on ESOC:
http://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESOC
More details on the involvement of ESA in the ISS:
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/International_Space_Station
UPDATE 10/10/2013
Wow that's a hell of a response!
I was thinking that so early in the morning just a few brave geocachers would have signed up, and after a few hours there are already more than 70 of you!!
What can I say, I'm very happy about this, and also a bit worried about the logistics! I initially set the limit to 30 but I can check internally whether I could host more participants.
For the moment, those who really want to come please send me an e-mail to my private address ercoaleo@gmail.com with the name and family name of all persons which would attend. I will use your e-mail address to create a list for further communications (I will send all messages with you in blind copy (bcc) so your addresses will remain hidden to all but me).
The last day on which you can send me your data is Sunday 27/10/13, then I have to start to prepare the official list for the Security guys at ESOC.
I will maintain a priority list with all those who sign up and send me the needed data, so if at any moment you realise that you can NOT come any more please let me know, so that someone else in the waiting list may take your place
I still don't know how many guests I'll be able to welcome inside ESOC, so maybe I can go beyond the initial number I mentioned. I can't promise anything, apart from that I'll try my best to have most of you in!
UPDATE 13/10/2013
I'm working on it
So, we are almost 100 up to now, and the event is taking a totally different dimension from what I initially thought. I am in contact with the internal responsible for security and communication to understand what I can do to extend as much as I can the number of participants.
One option I'm thinking of is to have two groups, if I really can't get all of you inside at the same time. But it is still early to think about this. Let's first see how many people confirm their participation and send their personal details, and once the date approaches I'll give more details.
IMPORTANT!
Some of those who have posted a "will attend" have not yet sent me their Name/Family Name/e-mail address/GC nickname. Please do not forget to do so (use my e-mail address: ercoaleo@gmail.com), because once the participation list has stabilised I'll send all further communication via e-mail only, and not on this listing. Note that I have changed the deadline to 27/10/2013.
UPDATE 28/10/2013
Event extended to 100 people on site!
yesterday was the last day for the official registration, and I have a quite long list by now (see announcement in the Listing). In my internal discussions with administration, security and communications I have reached an agreement which I hope can be satisfying for most of you: - we can have the event in a room with max 100 participants - we can see the launch to the ISS in streaming on a big screen - before going away groups of 20 people at a time will have the chance to go through some interesting operational areas for a quick tour (the others will remain in the big room waiting for their turn). Everyone can have the quick tour, but we can't all go at the same time... - it is NOT permitted to take anything inside ESOC (no bags and especially no electronic equipments, no cameras, no mobile phones, etc) - I have the permission of taking pictures of all of us with my camera, and after having these reviewed I can publish them and pass them to you all
I will keep the list up to date (people who can't come any more please let me know, so that someone else can take your place!), and 2 days before the launch the first 100 will be able to participate (no changes possible afterwards).
My idea is to open the registration to the event to all those who want, and for those who can't get inside ESOC I'll be available at the Darmstadt Train Station afterwards, for a breakfast from 6.30 to 7.30 to allow people to sign the logbook anyway and get the Geocaching in Space certificate ;-)
UPDATE 04/11/2013
Registration for the internal event closed!
Registration for the breakfast at the station still open!!!
I will go to the Hauptbahnhof and wait for all those who want to sign the logbook and get the Geocaching in Space souvenir. Appointment is at 7.00 at Erich Zeiss, inside the station hall. I'll stay there at least until 7.30, but even more if there are nice chaps to have a chat with ;-)
PLEASE log a "will attend" if you intend to come to the Hauptbahnhof so that I know more or less who to wait for...
UPDATE 11/11/2013
What an event!
Thanks to you all!!!
Everything worked out in the best way I could imagine. Thanks to you all for participating (and for your nice words in the logs!) and to all ESOC colleagues and friends which really gave a big contribution.