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ESA's gravity satellite moves to launch pad
 
11 March 2009

Launch tower at Plesetsk
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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
 
 
GOCE being lowered to Upper Stage
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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
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Plesetsk
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