Updates GOCE Mission News

[Notebook]

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMX13THKHF_index_0.html

Launching in just two months' time, GOCE – now fully reconfigured for launch in September, is currently being prepared for shipment on 29 July 2008 from ESA's test facilities in the Netherlands to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.

N.

 

[SiberianTiger]

A one cool looking spacecraft!

 

[Urwumpe]

Do we already have a Rockot launcher for Orbiter? I remember that there had been some interesting missions launched with one.

The satellite is really futuristic - it uses magnetic torque as primary RCS and has two RF-Ion thrusters for keeping orbit. Really a cool thing.

 

[Notebook]

It is a rather smart looking machine. I wonder if it would be possible to get images of it at work?

N.

 

[Urwumpe]

It is a rather smart looking machine. I wonder if it would be possible to get images of it at work?

N.

No cameras on-board, as far as I can tell.

 

[SiberianTiger]

The satellite is really futuristic - it uses magnetic torque as primary RCS and has two RF-Ion thrusters for keeping orbit. Really a cool thing.

Are you sure that magnetic torque effect is really a primary RCS and is not there for desaturation of gyrodynes?

 

[Notebook]

No cameras on-board, as far as I can tell.

I mean from another source, ISS, Shuttle/Soyuz passing by! anything.

We seem to have a lack of images of real satellites in orbit. Maybe a Google Sat...

N.

 

[Urwumpe]

Are you sure that magnetic torque effect is really a primary RCS and is not there for desaturation of gyrodynes?

As far as I can tell, there is no Gyrodyne in it, and it only has weak electrical RCS thrusters as supplement (8 x 1 mN).

 

[SiberianTiger]

I mean from another source, ISS, Shuttle/Soyuz passing by! anything.

We seem to have a lack of images of real satellites in orbit. Maybe a Google Sat...

N.

Check out this site, for instance:
http://www.zen32156.zen.co.uk/

 

[Notebook]

Thanks for the link SiberianTiger, a quick look shows the Envisat coming up quite well.

I guess there isn't a need or (or the money) to take pictures of satellites.
Just curious to see if it had been done.

Thanks, N.

 

[simonpro]

There's quite a lot of photographs of satellites, unfortunately most are taken by the military. So none of us get to see them

Onto GOCE itself, it has no moving parts aboard - meaning it has no gyros, no reaction wheels, nothing of that type.
Attitude control is achieved by use of magnetic torquers in two axes and two very very tiny ion thrusters (in addition to the two ion threusters it uses for propulsion).

 

[Notebook]

More info:-

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM91QXIPIF_index_0.html

N.

 

[Notebook]

And a bit of animation:-

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE_animation/

N.

 

[Notebook]

Entry 3: GOCE arrives safely at launch site in Russia.

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMW8K8N9JF_0.html

5 August 2008 - Following its departure from ESA in the Netherlands, GOCE has arrived safely at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia – from where the spacecraft will launch on 10 September 2008

N.

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMYZP8N9JF_0.html

More info

 

[Notebook]

Entry 5: GOCE checked for gas leaks


http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMWBIKRQJF_0.html

N.

 

[Artlav]

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMX13THKHF_index_0.html

Curious, why is it launched - if you look at the bottom of that link's article, there is an image of "The Earth's gravity field (geoid) as it will be seen by GOCE", making the launch redundant. ( )

 

[Urwumpe]

Curious, why is it launched - if you look at the bottom of that link's article, there is an image of "The Earth's gravity field (geoid) as it will be seen by GOCE", making the launch redundant. ( )

LOL. Somebody should tell them, that this is made by GRACE data. :lol:

 

[Notebook]

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMZG7O4KKF_0_iv.html

N.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Combined Operations To Assemble Rockot Upper Composite Starts at Plesetsk

28.08.2008

According to the launch schedule series of operation to assemble the Rockot Upper Composite (made of GOCE spacecraft, adapter system, Breeze KM upper stage and payload fairing) began yesterday at the Assembly and Test Building (“MIK”) of Plesetsk Cosmodrome. This marks a new major phase of preparations for 10 September Rockot launch with ESA’s GOCE gravity satellite.

In the current phase, main activities are being carried out by a combined team from Russia’s Khrunichev Space Center( who is the designer and manufacturer of both the Rockot launch vehicle and the Breeze KM upper stage) and the European team from Thales Alenia Italy (the satellite prime contractor), Eurockot( the launch service provider, Khrunichev/EADS joint venture).

Yesterday the GOCE SC was hoisted onto the adapter system, and the electrical checkout of the spacecraft was conducted.

Next basic activities include integration of the S/C +AS on Breeze KM upper stage. This well be followed by S/C + AS + US electrical checkout and S/C functional checkout.


These combined operations will continue in the next few days. After the integration and final checkouts of the Upper Composite the team will prepare it for transportation to Launch Pad.


Pics of the rolling out at 03.09.2008:

 

[Urwumpe]

How far away are we from a GOCE add-on? I like the satellite shape and the lack of moving parts should make it cool for beginners...