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    ESA > Our Activities > Observing the Earth > SMOS

    Entry 11: Launch countdown rehearsed

    SMOS and Proba-2 countdown rehearsal

    29 October 2009 – The rehearsal of the countdown for the launch of SMOS and Proba-2 has taken place. The purpose of this simulation is to ensure that everything is in place for the day of launch – from the all-important operation and communication sequences and procedures to everyone involved knowing their positions.

    The rehearsal took place at the Mission Control Centre in Mirny, just over 30 km from the Plesetsk launch pad and also involved the operations centres at CNES in Toulouse for SMOS and ESA’s ground station in Redu, Belgium for Proba-2.

    SMOS team during countdown rehearsal
    SMOS team during countdown rehearsal

    The launch countdown rehearsal marks one of the last steps in the campaign prior to launch. The team are expecting to get the ‘green light’ from the Russian State Commission to fuel the launcher on Friday afternoon.

    The weather remains wintery in Plesetsk, grey and cold – around 0°C – and snowy.

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    • Looking forward to launch
      Looking forward to launch
      Diary in pictures
    • SMOS launch diary
      • Entry 1: SMOS launch campaign begins
        • Entry 2: SMOS arrives safely at Plesetsk
          • Entry 3: SMOS unpacked and checked out
            • Entry 4: Green light to fuel
              • Entry 5: SMOS fuelled
                • Entry 6: SMOS joins rocket adapter
                  • Entry 7: SMOS mated to launcher upper stage
                    • Entry 8: SMOS encapsulated in fairing
                      • Entry 9: Fairing logo signed
                        • Entry 10: SMOS in the launch tower
                          • Entry 11: Launch countdown rehearsed
                            • Entry 12: Ready for launch!
                              • Entry 13: Launch milestones
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                                • Plesetsk
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                                • Thales Alenia Space

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