ESA - GOCE - Entry 4: GOCE unpacked and alignment check complete

GOCE at a glance

The first of a series Looking into the forces that shape our planet A technological achievement An intimate portrait of Earth Facts and figures

About the spacecraft

Satellite Payload

About the launch

Launch overview Launcher After launch GOCE data

Meet the team

Danilo Muzi, Project Manager Rune Floberghagen, Mission Manager Reiner Rummel, Chairman Mission Advisory Group Mark Drinkwater, Mission Scientist Roger Haagmans, Mission Scientist Andrea Allasio, Thales Alenia Space Project Manager Michael Fehringer, System Manager Paolo Laberinti, Head of Verification and Testing Miguel Aguirre, Technical Officer for Definition Phase Daniel Lamarre, Gradiometer Engineer Juan Piñeiro, Spacecraft Operations Manager Stefano Capitanio, Launch Campaign Manager Pascal Gilles, Head of Earth Explorer Payload Data Ground Segment

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GOCE positioned for alignment check

Entry 4: GOCE unpacked and alignment check complete

7 August 2008 – Since its arrival at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, the GOCE satellite has been unpacked, undergone a number of manoeuvres to position the 5-metre long spacecraft onto a so-called 'rotary trolley' and had the alignment of several components checked. All of which have been carried out successfully.

The alignment checks on the Ion Thruster Assembly, Star Trackers and Gradiometer outside mirror all showed the same values as those taken at ESA's test facilities in the Netherlands before shipment – confirming that nothing has been disturbed during the journey to Russia.

In addition, the Electrical Ground Support Equipment, which is essential for carrying out further testing over the next weeks, is now up and running. The next step is to move the satellite onto a multipurpose trolley and carry out a series of electrical tests. In parallel, the 'Launch Power Supply' and the 'Telemetry Rack' will be transported and installed at the launch pad.

Needless to say, with the launch campaign going well team spirits are high!

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Diary in pictures

GOCE launch diary

Entry 1: GOCE prepares for shipment to Russia Entry 2: GOCE begins its journey to launch site Entry 3: GOCE arrives safely at launch site in Russia Entry 5: GOCE checked for gas leaks Entry 6: Launch team reaches full strength Entry 7: Gradiometer checked and launcher rolled out for testing Entry 8: GOCE satellite joins Breeze Entry 9: Last-ever look at GOCE Entry 10: GOCE on the launch pad Entry 11: Launch of GOCE delayed Entry 12: Satellite activities resume 24 September Entry 13: GOCE team gearing up for new launch date Entry 14: GOCE launch postponed Entry 15: March launch planned for GOCE Entry 16: Team make ready to wake up GOCE Entry 17: GOCE revealed as container opened Entry 18: A busy week Entry 19: GOCE meets launcher Upper Stage Entry 20: Encapsulation Entry 21: On the launch pad Entry 22: Launch rehearsed Entry 23: GOCE launched and in orbit Entry 24: Going home

In depth

Plesetsk