Complementing the GOCE launch diary, this image gallery provides a glimpse into the range of activities that are being carried out to prepare the satellite for launch. The photos show the satellite being shipped from ESA's facilities in the Netherlands to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, the campaign in the autumn of 2008 and activities gearing up for launch on 17 March 2009. The most recent pictures feature first.
Launch campaign team members preparing for launch. From left to right: Roberto Bogiatto, Carmelo Ricchiuto, Stefano Penna, Guido Pipino, Davide Bottero all from Thales Alenia Spacein Turin, Italy and Manfred Doerre from ESA. The picture was taken on 16 March 2009, before the scheduled launch.
