Entry 23: GOCE launched and in orbit


GOCE liftoff
 
GOCE liftoff
 
 
17 March 2009 - GOCE was successfully launched today at 15:21 CET (14:21 UT). Launch today follows a delay of 24 hours due to a problem with the launch tower doors, which did not open during the countdown yesterday.

The Rockot launcher took GOCE northwards over the Artic and 90 minutes later – after one orbital revolution and two Breeze-KM upper-stage burns – the spacecraft was released into orbit 280 km above the surface of the Earth. Moments later, the all-important signal was received by the Kiruna ground station in Sweden indicating that GOCE was in good health.
 
  
 
  
Last update: 19 March 2009

 •  Diary in pictures (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMTSU6UWJF_mg_1.html)

GOCE launch diary

 •  Entry 1: GOCE prepares for shipment to Russia (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEM2OK8N9JF_0.html)
 •  Entry 2: GOCE begins its journey to launch site (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMOPK8N9JF_0.html)
 •  Entry 3: GOCE arrives safely at launch site in Russia (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMW8K8N9JF_0.html)
 •  Entry 4: GOCE unpacked and alignment check complete (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMYZP8N9JF_0.html)
 •  Entry 5: GOCE checked for gas leaks (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMWBIKRQJF_0.html)
 •  Entry 6: Launch team reaches full strength (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMO4S6UWJF_0.html)
 •  Entry 7: Gradiometer checked and launcher rolled out for testing (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMRGV3G6KF_0.html)
 •  Entry 8: GOCE satellite joins Breeze (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMNE21SAKF_0.html)
 •  Entry 9: Last-ever look at GOCE (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMT6JO4KKF_0.html)
 •  Entry 10: GOCE on the launch pad (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEM8ETO4KKF_0.html)
 •  Entry 11: Launch of GOCE delayed (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMLK1P4KKF_0.html)
 •  Entry 12: Satellite activities resume 24 September (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMLG9P4KKF_0.html)
 •  Entry 13: GOCE team gearing up for new launch date (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEM4MH6EJLF_0.html)
 •  Entry 14: GOCE launch postponed (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMY83TG7MF_0.html)
 •  Entry 15: March launch planned for GOCE (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMTMFXPXPF_0.html)
 •  Entry 16: Team make ready to wake up GOCE (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMN0O05VQF_0.html)
 •  Entry 17: GOCE revealed as container opened (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMFY0XX3RF_0.html)
 •  Entry 18: A busy week (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMU78CDNRF_0.html)
 •  Entry 19: GOCE meets launcher Upper Stage (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMR8UHTYRF_0.html)
 •  Entry 20: Encapsulation (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMO4YHTYRF_0.html)
 •  Entry 21: On the launch pad (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMP7EITYRF_0.html)
 •  Entry 22: Launch rehearsed (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMPGVITYRF_0.html)
 •  Entry 24: Going home (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEM30RJTYRF_0.html)

In depth

 •  Plesetsk (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESA_Permanent_Mission_in_Russia/SEMSNR0XDYD_0.html)

Related links

 •  Eurockot (http://www.eurockot.com/)
 •  Thales Alenia Space (http://www.thalesgroup.com/)