CryoSat-2 launch timeline


MCR
 
ESOC Main Control Room (MCR)
 
 
6 April 2010
 
A timeline of the most critical events around the launch of ESA's CryoSat-2 satellite, scheduled for 15:57 CEST on Thursday, 8 April 2010.
 
CryoSat-2 will be placed into orbit 717 km above Earth by a Russian Dnepr rocket launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

About 16 minutes after launch, scheduled for 15:57 CEST, CryoSat-2 will separate from the upper stage of the booster. Just a few seconds later, the satellite's radio transmitter will automatically come to life and start sending a signal to ground.
 
 
 Mission controllers at ESOC, ESA's European Space Operations Centre, will watch carefully for receipt of the signals, which are expected, first, via the tracking station at Malindi, Kenya, starting at 16:14 CEST, and, second, via the Troll station, Antarctica, starting at 16:28 CEST.
  
 
 Timeline - launch activities 8 April 2010
  

Note:
  • All times subject to change
  • Event may not happen at the precise time stated; time indicated may be start/end of a time slot
  • The mission clock starts when the launcher switches to internal inertial control, 4 seconds before liftoff
  • Tracking stations: Malindi (Kenya), Troll (Antarctica), Svalbard (Norway), Kiruna (Sweden)
  • LCC: Launch Control Centre at Baikonur || AOS: acquisition of signal

    • Time
    (CEST)    		Mission timeEvent
    07:57:00-08:00:00 Start of countdown
    09:57:00-06:00:00 Spacecraft switch-on
    13:57:00-02:00:00 ESA Mission Control Team on console in ESOC/Main Control Room
    14:17:00-01:40:00 Satellite in Launch Mode
    15:07:00-00:50:00 Command from LCC to switch to internal power
    15:07:00-00:50:00 ESA Mission Control Team confirms GO for launch
    15:17:00-00:38:00 LCC announces "CryoSat-2 GO for launch"
    15:37:00-00:20:00 Launch teams evacuate silo area
    15:42:00-00:15:00 Start of launcher automated sequence
    15:52:00-00:05:00 Last possibility for launch abort by ESA
    15:54:00-00:03:00 LCC reports "Dnepr GO for launch"
    15:54:04-00:02:56 START button pressed at LCC
    15:56:05-00:00:55 "Launch readiness 1 minute" from LCC
    15:57:00+00:00:00 Launcher switches to internal inertial control
    15:57:05 +00:00:05 Engine ignition; launcher lift-off
    15:58:50+00:01:50 First stage separation
    16:02:09+00:05:09 Payload fairing separation
    16:02:54+00:05:54 Second stage separation
    16:13:43+00:16:28 CryoSat-2 separation
    16:13:47+00:16:41 CryoSat S-band radio transmitter switch ON
    16:14:00+00:17:00Malindi station: expected acquisition of signal (AOS)
    16:28:11+00:31:11Troll station AOS
    17:23:13+01:26:13Svalbard station AOS
    17:26:31+01:26:31Kiruna station AOS

      
     
     •  ESTRACK tracking stations (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Operations/SEM8YCSMTWE_0.html)
     •  CryoSat (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cryosat/index.html)

    Related news

     •  CryoSat-2 ready for launch (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMVPXZNK7G_index_0.html)
     •  CryoSat-2 installed in launch silo (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMLOQIK97G_index_0.html)
     •  Invitation to the press for CryoSat-2 launch (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMSZ3IK97G_index_0.html)
     •  New launch date for CryoSat-2 confirmed (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMIOT9KF6G_index_0.html)
     •  CryoSat launch delayed (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEME9R7CS5G_index_0.html)

    Related links

     •  EADS-Astrium (http://www.astrium.eads.net/)
     •  Thales Alenia Space - SIRAL (http://www.thalesgroup.com/Case_Studies/CaseStudy_space_SIRAL/?pid=1576)
     •  Kosmotras (http://www.kosmotras.ru/en/)

    ESA on Youtube

     •  ESA's ice mission (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnAU7Ia4PKk)

    For Kids

     •  CryoSat – ESA’s eye on Earth's ice (http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/SEMTMO7CS5G_Earth_0.html)