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| | | | | | | | | Manoeuvring GOCE in the cleanroom | |
Entry 6: Launch team reaches full strength
18 August 2008 – Seven additional people have arrived at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome completing the 29-strong GOCE launch campaign team. With 19 days to go before launch (L-19) the campaign continues to progress well with the gas-loading activities finalised and the solar-array inspection almost done.
Over the last few days, activities have focussed on loading the satellite with nitrogen following the gas-leak checks last week and a full inspection of the solar array. Once in orbit, the same side of the GOCE satellite always faces the Sun. This side carries four body-mounted and two wing-mounted solar panels capable of tolerating temperatures as high as 140ºC and as low as –160ºC. Ensuring that the solar panels are in perfect condition is an important step in the launch campaign.
| | | Irren Tsu-Silva |
On a personal note, it was Irren Tsu-Silva's birthday on Friday. Irren is the ESA secretary for the GOCE Project. The team presented her with a big bunch of red roses and the Russian team also gave her flowers selected from those blooming around the launch facilities.
The picture (below) shows the Commander General Nickolai Bikus of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome (left) and Jürgen Schmid ESA's GOCE Launch Campaign Manager enjoying a beer together. Jürgen has been providing the news updates for the GOCE launch diary.
| | Nickolai Bikus (left) and Jürgen Schmid | |
This week sees the start of a 6-day test aimed at checking the satellite's electrics for potential damages experienced during transportation to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
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| | Diary in pictures GOCE launch diary Entry 1: GOCE prepares for shipment to RussiaEntry 2: GOCE begins its journey to launch siteEntry 3: GOCE arrives safely at launch site in RussiaEntry 4: GOCE unpacked and alignment check completeEntry 5: GOCE checked for gas leaksEntry 7: Gradiometer checked and launcher rolled out for testingEntry 8: GOCE satellite joins BreezeEntry 9: Last-ever look at GOCEEntry 10: GOCE on the launch padEntry 11: Launch of GOCE delayedEntry 12: Satellite activities resume 24 SeptemberEntry 13: GOCE team gearing up for new launch dateEntry 14: GOCE launch postponedEntry 15: March launch planned for GOCEEntry 16: Team make ready to wake up GOCEEntry 17: GOCE revealed as container openedEntry 18: A busy weekEntry 19: GOCE meets launcher Upper StageEntry 20: EncapsulationEntry 21: On the launch padEntry 22: Launch rehearsedEntry 23: GOCE launched and in orbitEntry 24: Going homeIn depth PlesetskRelated links EurockotThales Alenia Space
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