Entry 12: Satellite activities resume 24 September


GOCE before joining the adaptor
 
 
 
 
9 September 2008 – Following the identification of an anomaly in the Rockot launcher’s Breeze-KM Upper Stage that consequently delayed the launch of GOCE, the Upper Composite will be transferred back to the preparation facilities at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome tomorrow.
 
Once in the clean room, the GOCE satellite will be taken out of the fairing half shells and dismantled from the launch vehicle adapter. The GOCE satellite’s sensitive elements will be protected by covers while the faulty unit in the Breeze KM is replaced.

Launch preparation activities are planned to resume on 24 September 2008 when the satellite will rejoin the Breeze KM Upper Stage for the new scheduled launch date of 5 October 2008.

In the meantime, most of the launch campaign team members are leaving Russia for a well-earned break so this will be the last diary entry until work resumes in a couple of weeks.
 
 
  
Last update: 9 September 2008

 •  Diary in pictures (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMTSU6UWJF_mg_1.html)

GOCE launch diary

 •  Entry 1: GOCE prepares for shipment to Russia (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEM2OK8N9JF_0.html)
 •  Entry 2: GOCE begins its journey to launch site (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMOPK8N9JF_0.html)
 •  Entry 3: GOCE arrives safely at launch site in Russia (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMW8K8N9JF_0.html)
 •  Entry 4: GOCE unpacked and alignment check complete (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMYZP8N9JF_0.html)
 •  Entry 5: GOCE checked for gas leaks (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMWBIKRQJF_0.html)
 •  Entry 6: Launch team reaches full strength (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMO4S6UWJF_0.html)
 •  Entry 7: Gradiometer checked and launcher rolled out for testing (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMRGV3G6KF_0.html)
 •  Entry 8: GOCE satellite joins Breeze (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMNE21SAKF_0.html)
 •  Entry 9: Last-ever look at GOCE (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMT6JO4KKF_0.html)
 •  Entry 10: GOCE on the launch pad (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEM8ETO4KKF_0.html)
 •  Entry 11: Launch of GOCE delayed (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMLK1P4KKF_0.html)
 •  Entry 13: GOCE team gearing up for new launch date (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEM4MH6EJLF_0.html)
 •  Entry 14: GOCE launch postponed (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMY83TG7MF_0.html)
 •  Entry 15: March launch planned for GOCE (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMTMFXPXPF_0.html)
 •  Entry 16: Team make ready to wake up GOCE (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMN0O05VQF_0.html)
 •  Entry 17: GOCE revealed as container opened (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMFY0XX3RF_0.html)
 •  Entry 18: A busy week (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMU78CDNRF_0.html)
 •  Entry 19: GOCE meets launcher Upper Stage (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMR8UHTYRF_0.html)
 •  Entry 20: Encapsulation (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMO4YHTYRF_0.html)
 •  Entry 21: On the launch pad (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMP7EITYRF_0.html)
 •  Entry 22: Launch rehearsed (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMPGVITYRF_0.html)
 •  Entry 23: GOCE launched and in orbit (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMBFHJTYRF_0.html)
 •  Entry 24: Going home (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEM30RJTYRF_0.html)

In depth

 •  Plesetsk (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESA_Permanent_Mission_in_Russia/SEMSNR0XDYD_0.html)

Related links

 •  Eurockot (http://www.eurockot.com/)
 •  Thales Alenia Space (http://www.thalesgroup.com/)