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GOCE at a glance The first of a seriesLooking into the forces that shape our planetA technological achievementAn intimate portrait of EarthFacts and figures About the spacecraft About the launch Meet the team Multimedia Image galleryVideosAnimationsOnline resourcesServices
| | | | | | | | | Last inspection before fairing closes | |
Entry 20: Encapsulation
9 March 2009 – After the spacecraft was mated with the Breeze Upper Stage last Friday, operations at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome continued in earnest over the weekend, achieving another significant milestone in the launch campaign – encapsulation.
Encapsulation is an operation that takes great care and precision as the half-shells of the launcher's fairing are gently closed around the GOCE satellite.
The entire launch campaign team was there to say good-bye as the slender spacecraft was gradually sealed from view. The protective half-shells will not be opened again until they are jettisoned around three minutes after launch.
| | | Fairing label with signatures |
Prior to encapsulation, the very last inspection was performed to make sure, for example, that nothing had been left behind by the Khrunichev crew whilst they had been tightening the fasteners that hold the spacecraft and preparing to close the fairing.
Following the encapsulation procedure, which went very smoothly, a large 'GOCE' label was applied to the outside of the fairing – which the team members all signed.
The spacecraft was then turned on to check the electrical connections after mating and all was fine!
| | GOCE encapsulated | |
As the configuration now comprises the Upper Stage, the satellite and fairing, it is referred to as the Upper Composite – and is due to be rolled out to the actual launch pad on Tuesday 10 March. Here it will join the rest of the launcher and made ready for lift off at 15:31 (CET) on Monday 16 March.
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| | GOCE video diary  Back in PlesetskFirst day activitiesGOCE out of storageGOCE joins breezeGOCE sealed in fairing 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 6: Launch team reaches full strengthEntry 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 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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