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ESA's gravity satellite moves to launch pad

11 March 2009

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The tower supporting the launcher that will carry GOCE into orbit on Monday 16 March 2009. The picture, taken on 11 March, shows the wintery conditions at the launch site.

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2009

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View of the GOCE satellite in the cleanroom being lowered to join the Upper Stage of the Breeze Rockot launcher prior to encapsulation in the fairing.

Credits: ESA - Mohammed Shafiq

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The animation is based on available gravity measurements and shows the information GOCE will be providing us with. Simplified, it shows how the geoid represents deviations from the Earth's elipsoid. Although it has 'highs'and 'lows'- it is a surface of equal gravitational potential. Therefore, if an object were placed on the surface it would not move.

Credits: DLR

GOCE launch