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GOCE satellite
 
GOCE in orbit
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In orbit, the same side of the GOCE satellite remains facing the Sun. The spacecraft is equipped with four body-mounted and two wing-mounted solar panels. Due to the configuration in orbit, the solar panels will experience extreme temperature variations so it has been necessary to use materials that will tolerate temperatures as high as 160ºC and as low as -170ºC.

Credits: ESA - AOES Medialab
 
  Inside the satellite
 
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GOCE is a sleek five metre-long satellite about one metre in diameter. It consists of a central octagonal tube with seven internal 'floors' that support the equipment and electronic units. The satellite is built largely of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic sandwich panels to guarantee stable conditions and minimise mass. Forming the heart of the satellite, the gradiometer is mounted close to the satellite’s centre of mass. The gradiometer structure is based on ultra-stable carbon-carbon technology. GOCE is the first mission to employ the concept of gradiometry in space.

Credits: ESA - AOES Medialab
 
  Last update: 21 August 2009 
 
More information
ESA's Gravity Mission - GOCE Brochure (revised) 2006 (pdf)ESA's Schwerkraft Mission - GOCE Brochure (German) 2007 (pdf)
In detail
GOCE System Critical Design Review - Executive Summary (pdf)Basic Measurement UnitsGravity Field Quantities
Related links
International Laser Ranging ServiceGeoid and Ocean Circulation In the North Atlantic (GOCINA) Project
 
 
 
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