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ESA's next Earth Explorer, SMOS, has just passed the all-important Flight Acceptance Review, signifying that all the elements that make up the mission are in place for launch later this year. The satellite can now be prepared for its journey to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.The Flight Acceptance Review is a formal procedure to ensure that all the mission elements are in order and ready for launch. These elements not only include the satellite, but also the readiness of the...

Following confirmation from Eurockot Launch Services that they will launch ESA's SMOS mission on September 9 this year, the satellite has just been taken out of storage "“ providing an opportunity for the media to view the satellite before it is prepared for shipment to the launch site in Russia.The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission is the next Earth Explorer in line for liftoff after the successful launch of the Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer...

The European Space Agency has placed its first GOCE satellite into orbit, beginning what the ESA calls a new chapter in the history of Earth observation. The Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer satellite was lifted into a near-sun-synchronous, low Earth orbit Tuesday by a Rockot launcher from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia. GOCE is the first of a new family of ESA satellites designed to study our planet and its environment in order to enhance our knowledge...

After liftoff March 17, ESA's GOCE spacecraft is performing very well, having achieved an extremely accurate injection altitude just 1.5 km lower than planned. The Mission Control Team is now working round-the-clock shifts to implement a series of critical check-out procedures.The Mission Control Team at ESOC, ESA's Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, are now conducting the complex and critical 'Launch and Early Operations Phase' (LEOP) for GOCE, which was successfully launched...

ESA's Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) successfully launched on schedule Tuesday with plans to provide an unprecedented view of Earth's gravity field.GOCE launched via a Russian Rockot vehicle from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Russia at 1421GMT on Tuesday.Mission managers must now wait for about 90 minutes after lift-off before GOCE separates from its rocket.GOCE was expected to launch on Monday, but technical problems forced mission managers to suspend the...

With liftoff just five days away, ESA's GOCE spacecraft "“ encased in the protective two half shells of the launcher fairing "“ has been transported from the clean room and installed in the launch tower at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.The so-called Upper Composite, which comprises the Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Explorer (GOCE) satellite joined to the KM-Breeze Upper Stage of the Rockot launcher and sealed within the fairing, was protected by a thermal cover and...

ESA is about to launch the most sophisticated of Earth Observation satellites to investigate the Earth's gravitational field with unprecedented resolution and accuracy. GOCE data will be crucial for obtaining accurate measurements of ocean circulation and sea-level change, both of which are affected by climate change. The data will help to better understand processes occurring inside the Earth which are linked to volcanoes and earthquakes.The "Gravity field and steady-state Ocean...

With less than two weeks to go before ESA's gravity mission launches, activities at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome are in full swing.Last week was particularly intense with a number of important tests being carried out.Firstly, the satellite's ion propulsion valves were successfully checked. Although some of the valves had been dormant for almost two years, all went well. By counteracting drag along GOCE's exceptionally low orbit above the Earth, the specialized ion propulsion system is integral to...

Following word from Eurockot that launch of the Earth Explorer SMOS satellite can take place between July and October this year, ESA, CNES and the prime contractor Thales Alenia Space are now making detailed preparations for the last crucial steps before ESA's water mission is placed in orbit.The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite has been in storage at Thales Alenia Space's facilities in Cannes, France since May last year awaiting for a third stage of the Rockot launcher to be...

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. This follows implementation of the corrective measures after the anomaly with the Rockot launcher that delayed the launch of GOCE by Eurockot Launch Services last October.An advance party from ESA has just arrived at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia to arrange logistical matters while the team of engineers will arrive in...