Complementing the GOCE launch diary, this image gallery provides a glimpse into the range of activities that are being carried out to prepare the satellite for launch. The photos show the satellite being shipped from ESA's facilities in the Netherlands to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, the campaign in the autumn of 2008 and activities gearing up for launch on 17 March 2009. The most recent pictures feature first.
GOCE container was opened on 17 February 2009 as activities for the launch campaign resumed. Once the spacecraft was revealed, an overall inspection was performed and no anomalies were found.
