ESOC: "Where Missions Come Alive" - profile video
A fast-paced multimedia profile of the people, technologies and passions that animate the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC).
ESOC - About the European Space Operations Centre
Engineers and scientists at ESOC spend considerable time selecting orbits, developing procedures and building the ground segment infrastructure that supports a satellite in flight.
In the months prior to a launch, a 'team of teams' conducts intense training and simulations to be ready for any contingency. After lift-off, the satellite separates from its booster, and ESOC mission controllers assume command. During LEOP - the critical launch and early orbit phase - the operation of solar arrays and other on-board systems must be fully confirmed, followed by the check-out and switch-on of scientific payloads.
Satellites travel to low-Earth orbit, geostationary orbit and deep into interplanetary space, orbiting the Sun, Mars and other celestial bodies. ESOC controls the Agency's ESTRACK network, a global system of tracking stations that transmit commands and receive valuable scientific data. ESOC is also responsible for tracking space debris, a growing threat to commercial and scientific exploitation of near-Earth orbits, and for developing new techniques and tools for mission operations.
Editor's note: For more information on ESOC, access ESA's online video gallery.
Last update: 13 August 2012
Rate this
Views
Share
- Currently 0 out of 5 Stars.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Rating: 0/5 (0 votes cast)Thank you for rating!
You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!
Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!