Launch of ESA's GOCE delayed (Forwarded)
- From: Andrew Yee <ayee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:34:00 -0400
ESA News
http://www.esa.int
8 September 2008
Launch of GOCE delayed
The preparatory activities for the launch of ESA's GOCE [Gravity field and
steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer] satellite from the Plesetsk
cosmodrome in northern Russia had to be stopped yesterday afternoon (Sunday
7 September) by Eurockot due to an anomaly identified in one of the units of
the guidance and navigation subsystem of the launcher's Upper Stage (Breeze
KM).
The correction of the problem will require the replacement of this unit. In
order to perform this operation, it will be necessary to de-mate the
launcher's Upper Composite and transport it from the launch pad back to the
integration room. Once in the clean room, the protective fairing that
shelters the satellite will be opened and the spacecraft and its adaptor
system will be dismounted in order to allow access to the Breeze KM
equipment to be replaced.
Taking into account the duration of the refurbishment operations and the
re-mating of the adaptor system, satellite and fairing, the launch has been
currently rescheduled for 5 October at the same time (16:21 CEST [1421
UTC]). The satellite and its mission will not be affected by this launch
delay.
Notes for editors:
Eurockot Launch Services GmbH is the joint venture of EADS Astrium (51%)and
Khrunichev Space Centre (49%) and performs launch services for operators of
Low Earth Orbit satellites using the Rockot launch vehicle.
[NOTE: An image and weblinks supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMAC1P4KKF_index_1.html ]
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