Entry 15: March launch planned for GOCE
04 February 2009 - ESA is now gearing up to return to Russia to oversee preparations for the launch of its GOCE satellite – now envisaged for launch on 16 March 2009. This follows implementation of the corrective measures after the anomaly with the Rockot launcher that delayed the launch of GOCE by Eurockot Launch Services last October.
An advance party from ESA has just arrived at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia to arrange logistical matters while the team of engineers will arrive in mid-February.
The five metre-long GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) satellite has been in storage at the launch site since last October. Once the team of ESA and Thales Alenia Space engineers arrive, work will begin preparing the satellite for launch. As prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space has led an all-European consortium of over 40 companies to build the GOCE satellite.
ESA's GOCE Project Manager Danilo Muzi commented that, "The team are really eager to resume the launch campaign and to finish the job interrupted last autumn. The launch in a few weeks time will be the deserved reward for all their efforts."
GOCE is the first in a series of Earth observation satellites called Earth Explorers. These small missions are developed in direct response to a range of Earth-science issues identified by the scientific community whilst demonstrating new technology in space. GOCE certainly lives up to this – its sleek high-tech design embodying many firsts in terms of design and use of new technology to map the Earth's gravity field as never before.
The satellite has been designed to orbit just 250 km above the surface of the Earth – its unusual aerodynamic shape cutting through of what remains of the atmosphere. This low-orbiting satellite is the first mission to employ the concept of gradiometry in space. The concept involves the measurement of acceleration differences over short distances between an ensemble of proof masses inside the spacecraft that respond to tiny variations in the 'gravitational tug' of the Earth as it travels along its orbital path.
The data acquired by GOCE will bring about a whole new level of understanding of one of the Earth most fundamental forces of nature. Improved knowledge of the gravity field is one of the most important building blocks for understanding how the Earth works. Mapping the gravity field with unprecedented accuracy, the GOCE mission will realise a broad range of fascinating new possibilities for the fields of oceanography, solid Earth physics, geodesy and sea-level research – significantly contributing to our understanding of climate change.
- Diary in pictures
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/GOCE_launch_diary_gallery - Entry 1: GOCE prepares for shipment to Russia
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_1_GOCE_prepares_for_shipment_to_Russia - Entry 2: GOCE begins its journey to launch site
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_2_GOCE_begins_its_journey_to_launch_site - Entry 3: GOCE arrives safely at launch site in Russia
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_3_GOCE_arrives_safely_at_launch_site_in_Russia - Entry 4: GOCE unpacked and alignment check complete
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_4_GOCE_unpacked_and_alignment_check_complete - Entry 5: GOCE checked for gas leaks
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_5_GOCE_checked_for_gas_leaks - Entry 6: Launch team reaches full strength
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_6_Launch_team_reaches_full_strength - Entry 7: Gradiometer checked and launcher rolled out for testing
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_7_Gradiometer_checked_and_launcher_rolled_out_for_testing - Entry 8: GOCE satellite joins Breeze
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_8_GOCE_satellite_joins_Breeze - Entry 9: Last-ever look at GOCE
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_9_Last-ever_look_at_GOCE - Entry 10: GOCE on the launch pad
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_10_GOCE_on_the_launch_pad - Entry 11: Launch of GOCE delayed
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_11_Launch_of_GOCE_delayed - Entry 12: Satellite activities resume 24
September
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_12_Satellite_activities_resume_24_nobr_September_nobr - Entry 13: GOCE team gearing up for new launch date
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_13_GOCE_team_gearing_up_for_new_launch_date - Entry 14: GOCE launch postponed
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_14_GOCE_launch_postponed - Entry 15: March launch planned for
GOCE
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_15_March_launch_planned_for_nobr_GOCE_nobr - Entry 16: Team make ready to wake up GOCE
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_16_Team_make_ready_to_wake_up_GOCE - Entry 17: GOCE revealed as container opened
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_17_GOCE_revealed_as_container_opened - Entry 18: A busy week
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_18_A_busy_week - Entry 19: GOCE meets launcher Upper Stage
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_19_GOCE_meets_launcher_Upper_Stage - Entry 20: Encapsulation
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_20_Encapsulation - Entry 21: On the launch pad
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_21_On_the_launch_pad - Entry 22: Launch rehearsed
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_22_Launch_rehearsed - Entry 23: GOCE launched and in orbit
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_23_GOCE_launched_and_in_orbit - Entry 24: Going home
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/Entry_24_Going_home - Plesetsk
http://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA_Permanent_Mission_in_Russia/Plesetsk - Eurockot
http://www.eurockot.com/ - Thales Alenia Space
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space