ESA - Living Planet Programme - GOCE - GOCE's electric ion propulsion engine switched on

ESA's gravity mission GOCE

Science

Science overview Objectives

Disciplines

Ocean circulation Solid-Earth physics Geodesy

Mission

Mission overview Milestones Payload Satellite Ground segment

Data

Data overview Calibration Data products

Publications

Services

Calendar Subscribe Contact us

Article Images

GOCE's electric ion propulsion engine switched on

6 April 2009

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES MOV (Size: 571 kb)

The need for GOCE to fly in a low orbit means it has to compensate for the atmospheric drag it experiences at this exceptionally low altitude. The animation shows a close-up of the ion-propulsion assembly, which keeps the satellite in a smooth trajectory – free from all effects except those of gravity itself. Two winglets provide additional aerodynamic stability.

Credits: ESA /AOES Medialab

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES JPEG (Size: 788 kb)

View in ESOC's Main Control Room

Credits: ESA

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES JPG (Size: 1117 kb)

HI-RES TIFF (Size: 10 149 kb)

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

GOCE launch

Space Operations & Situational Awareness

Track GOCE