 | | | | |
| | | | | |
|
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
| | | | | | | | | Roll out of Upper Composite | |
Entry 7: Gradiometer checked and launcher rolled out for testing
22 August 2008 – With 16 working days to go (L-16) preparations continue according to plan with the week's activities being devoted to testing the satellite's electrics. This included passing an important milestone with the electrical tests on the Gradiometer – GOCE's core instrument.
The electrical tests showed that the gradiometer was in 'perfect health' with the results matching the requirements exactly. Needless to say, this was important bridge crossed at the beginning of this set of tests and set the tone for the rest of the electrical tests – as the results have been good all week. As of today, there are just the tests to run on the redundant systems.
On the launcher side, the first- and second-stage of the booster was laid horizontally and taken by rail to the launch pad 3.5 km away from the integration centre. It was successfully erected and installed in the launch tower. In addition, the Breeze-KM Upper Stage (not fuelled) and the fairing were fitted together to form the so-called Upper Composite.
| | | Commander Koronov receives a GOCE model |
On Tuesday 19 August, the Upper-Composite then left the integration area and headed for the launch pad for a trial installation on the booster. This should confirm all the interfaces are working correctly.
Last Sunday, the GOCE launch team visited the Military Space Museum at Mirny. It was a guided tour including presentation on the history of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. During the occasion, a GOCE model was handed over to Commander Koronov, so from now on the model can be seen in the museum.
| |
| | 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 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
|
