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ESA launches Earth Explorer mission GOCE

17 March 2009

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Liftoff of GOCE on 17 March 2009 at 15:21 CET.

Credits: ESA

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About 90 minutes after launch and almost one orbit around the Earth, the Rockot Breeze-KM upper-stage is oriented to inject the GOCE spacecraft into orbit. This happens around 280 km above central Europe within range of the ground stations in Kiruna in northern Sweden and Svalbard north of Norway. At this point, the first confirmation that all is well with the satellite is expected.

GOCE is launched into a Sun-synchronous, near-circular orbit with an inclination of 96.7º.

Credits: ESA - AOES Medialab

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The GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) mission will measure high-accuracy gravity gradients and provide a global model of the Earth's gravity field and of the geoid. The geoid (the surface of equal gravitational potential of a hypothetical ocean at rest) serves as the classical reference for all topographical features. The accuracy of its determination is important for surveying and geodesy, and in studies of Earth interior processes, ocean circulation, ice motion and sea-level change.

Credits: ESA

A unique payload onboard a unique spacecraft

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Forming the heart of GOCE (Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer), the gravity gradiometer consists of three pairs of identical ultra-sensitive accelerometers, mounted on three mutually orthogonal 'arms'. One of the arms is aligned with the satellite’s trajectory, one pointing towards the centre of the Earth, and the third is perpendicular to the other two. This allows the simultaneous measurement of six independent but complementary components of the gravity field.

Credits: ESA - AOES Medialab

One mission, many benefits

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A better understanding of Earth's gravity field and its associated geoid will significantly advance our knowledge of how the Earth system works. In particular, an accurate model of the geoid will advance our understanding global ocean circulation patterns and sea-level rise.

Credits: ESA

One Earth Explorer up, more to come

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Earth Explorers are developed in direct response to the needs of the science community and cover a broad range of science issues to further our understanding of the Earth system. Earth Explorers focus on the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and Earth’s interior, with the overall emphasis on learning more about the interactions between these components and the influence human activity is having on natural Earth processes.

Credits: ESA

GOCE launch

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