Updates GOCE Mission News

[Notebook]

More news.

ESA is now gearing up to return to Russia to oversee preparations for the launch of its GOCE satellite – now envisaged for launch on 16 March 2009.

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

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[Notebook]

Entry 16: Team make ready to wake up GOCE

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMN0O05VQF_0.html

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[Notebook]

Entry 17: GOCE revealed as container opened
24 February 2009

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMFY0XX3RF_0.html

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[SiberianTiger]

Hey Notebook,

I'm not insisting on that, but can we have this thread renamed to my template style, something like "GOCE atop Rokot/Briz-KM on March 16, 2009"? After all, the subject had already been shipped to Russia quite a while ago.

There will be some rich launch coverage by Khrunichev I'd be happy to link here on.

 

[Notebook]

No problems here, except I don't think I can do that!

If a mod or admin type will, then feel free.

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[SiberianTiger]

No problems here, except I don't think I can do that!

If a mod or admin type will, then feel free.

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You just have to edit your original post (click "Edit") and click "Go Advanced" button there - that will get you to a form that makes it possible to edit the caption.

 

[Notebook]

Ok I'll give it a go...

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[SiberianTiger]

Ok I'll give it a go...

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Thanks!

 

[SiberianTiger]

There are daily news on the topic published at the website of Eurockot Launch Service Provider

One of the most recent ones:

GOCE Launch Campaign (Day L - 14) - March 02, 2009

After the adapter transit cable electrical check-outs had been finished this morning (Fig.1), the Combined Operations (i.e. the operations of SC mating with the LV or LV components) started. First the SC was lifted from the multi purpose trolley (MPT), then transferred with the help of the crane to the point over the LV adapter and afterwards lowered very carefully onto the top of the adapter (Fig.2).

After this operation had been carried out the Khrunichev experts closed the clamp band and started its tensioning by warming it up, reducing the circumference and letting it cool down again.

Also today the Breeze Upper Stage (US) was transported to the fuelling station.

Fig.1: Adapter Electrical Checkouts

Fig.2: SC Mating with LV Adapter

 

[SiberianTiger]

COGE launch data as reviewed at Khrunichev Space Centre's website:

The Rokot Breeze-KM launch vehicle with the GOCE satellite on board is scheduled to be launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome on 16.03.2009 at 14 h 21 m 17 s UTC (16.03.2009 17 h 21 m 17 s Moscow Local Time )

Rockot LV working phase GOCE SC injection

Impact fields of Rockot LV parts separated

Rockot LV / Breeze-KM US / GOCE SC flight cyclogram

Rockot / Breeze-KM path for GOCE SC

Profile of GOCE SC injection by Rockot

---------------------------
The latest news from the launch site with pictures:

The upper composite with incapsulated GOCE satellite mated to a Briz-KM upper stage was delivered to the launch pad to be assembled together with the main body of the Rokot rocket. At the launch pad the Upper Composite will be first lifted to the 7-th floor of the service tower where it has to undergo final operations. Upon assembling, the international launch team will conduct all the necessary tests on the spacecraft and the launcher.

 

[Notebook]

Looks a nice sunny day! Hope the weather stays quiet for Monday.

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[SiberianTiger]

Looks a nice sunny day! Hope the weather stays quiet for Monday.

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It does not look especially sunny for me on the pictures: I believe that the first shot was simply made in twilight.

It's going to be quiet on Monday, indeed:

 

[tblaxland]

Looks a nice sunny day! Hope the weather stays quiet for Monday.

English sarcasm? That grey stuff is as sunny as it gets in England, isn't it?

 

[Notebook]

English sarcasm? That grey stuff is as sunny as it gets in England, isn't it?

No sarcasm, maybe irony...Its seems to have been a long grey winter here. Nearly forgotten what a blue sky looks like.


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---------- Post added at 10:50 ---------- Previous post was at 10:44 ----------

It does not look especially sunny for me on the pictures: I believe that the first shot was simply made in twilight.

It's going to be quiet on Monday, indeed:

Looks good, from what I can deduce!
What are the graphics in the column titled "Betep,m/cek? It looks like wind-speed/direction, but I don't think it is.

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[SiberianTiger]

No sarcasm, maybe irony...Its seems to have been a long grey winter here. Nearly forgotten what a blue sky looks like.

Sometimes it's really difficult to see when you stop being serious.

Looks good, from what I can deduce!
What are the graphics in the column titled "Betep,m/cek? It looks like wind-speed/direction, but I don't think it is.

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It is the wind-speed/direction. The arrow points to the cardinal direction of the wind. Sorry for using a Russian weather resource, it's just very customary for me to look up the weather at this one.

 

[Notebook]

My apologies, I forget people I talk to here are in different nations and continets. It must seem cryptic and sometimes rude. That's not my intention.

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[SiberianTiger]

My apologies, I forget people I talk to here are in different nations and continets. It must seem cryptic and sometimes rude. That's not my intention.

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Actually, I enjoy your light vein of humour and sometimes find your posts amusing like a riddle. Please keep posting your own way!

 

[Notebook]

The BBC has woken up:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7935621.stm

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[SiberianTiger]

GOCE launch coverage (including launch data feed, simulation video and launch site video) will be available for registered users today at:

http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/real_pusk.htm

Registration is free, but takes a while (several days).

 

[Notebook]

GOCE timeline today.

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GOCE/SEMZTUITYRF_0.html

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15:1817:18Latest launch abort possible by spacecraft (start of irreversible launch process)L-3 min

Interesting...