ESA - GOCE - Entry 17: GOCE revealed as container opened

GOCE at a glance

The first of a series Looking into the forces that shape our planet A technological achievement An intimate portrait of Earth Facts and figures

About the spacecraft

Satellite Payload

About the launch

Launch overview Launcher After launch GOCE data

Meet the team

Danilo Muzi, Project Manager Rune Floberghagen, Mission Manager Reiner Rummel, Chairman Mission Advisory Group Mark Drinkwater, Mission Scientist Roger Haagmans, Mission Scientist Andrea Allasio, Thales Alenia Space Project Manager Michael Fehringer, System Manager Paolo Laberinti, Head of Verification and Testing Miguel Aguirre, Technical Officer for Definition Phase Daniel Lamarre, Gradiometer Engineer Juan Piñeiro, Spacecraft Operations Manager Stefano Capitanio, Launch Campaign Manager Pascal Gilles, Head of Earth Explorer Payload Data Ground Segment

Multimedia

Image gallery Videos Animations Online resources

Services

Article Images

Entry 17: GOCE revealed as container opened

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES QT (Size: 27 274 kb)

GOCE comes out of hibernation and moves to the 'Mechanical Ground Support Equipment' (MGSE). On 17 February 2009 the team opened the container to reveal the GOCE spacecraft. An overall inspection followed which showed no anomalies. Following the inspection, the spacecraft was moved onto the multipurpose trolley for the next activities.

Credits: ESA - Mohammed Shafiq

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES JPEG (Size: 1153 kb)

A specialist from Astrium Ottobrunn performed the solar cell inspection on 18 and 19 February 2009. No differences were found relative to the last inspection made in August 2008.

Credits: ESA

Diary in pictures

GOCE launch diary

Entry 1: GOCE prepares for shipment to Russia Entry 2: GOCE begins its journey to launch site Entry 3: GOCE arrives safely at launch site in Russia Entry 4: GOCE unpacked and alignment check complete Entry 5: GOCE checked for gas leaks Entry 6: Launch team reaches full strength Entry 7: Gradiometer checked and launcher rolled out for testing Entry 8: GOCE satellite joins Breeze Entry 9: Last-ever look at GOCE Entry 10: GOCE on the launch pad Entry 11: Launch of GOCE delayed Entry 12: Satellite activities resume 24 September Entry 13: GOCE team gearing up for new launch date Entry 14: GOCE launch postponed Entry 15: March launch planned for GOCE Entry 16: Team make ready to wake up GOCE Entry 18: A busy week Entry 19: GOCE meets launcher Upper Stage Entry 20: Encapsulation Entry 21: On the launch pad Entry 22: Launch rehearsed Entry 23: GOCE launched and in orbit Entry 24: Going home

In depth

Plesetsk