GOCE launch postponed
Posted: Mon, Mar 16, 2009, 9:05 PM ET (0105 GMT)
The launch of a European earth sciences satellite Monday was scrubbed in the final seconds of the countdown because of a glitch with the launch pad. ESA's Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) was set to launch Monday at 10:21 am EDT (1421 GMT) on a Rockot from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. However, the countdown was stopped seven seconds before liftoff when the doors of the service tower at the launch pad failed to open, preventing the structure from moving back. The problem was corrected and the rocket cleared for launch at the same time Tuesday. The spacecraft is designed to measure the Earth's gravity field with unprecedented resolution, allowing scientists to better study ocean circulation and sea-level change.
The launch of a European earth sciences satellite Monday was scrubbed in the final seconds of the countdown because of a glitch with the launch pad. ESA's Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) was set to launch Monday at 10:21 am EDT (1421 GMT) on a Rockot from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. However, the countdown was stopped seven seconds before liftoff when the doors of the service tower at the launch pad failed to open, preventing the structure from moving back. The problem was corrected and the rocket cleared for launch at the same time Tuesday. The spacecraft is designed to measure the Earth's gravity field with unprecedented resolution, allowing scientists to better study ocean circulation and sea-level change.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Pentagon dismisses $1.2 trillion cost estimate for Golden Dome
Posted: Sat, May 16 9:36 AM ET (1336 GMT) Cowboy Space proposes 20,000 satellite orbital data center constellation
Posted: Sat, May 16 9:33 AM ET (1333 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, May 20
Firefly Aerospace Accelerates Spacecraft Production with Expanded Campus and Innovation Lab in Central Texas
Firefly Aerospace — 4:30 am ET (0830 GMT) Sandhoo named Space Development Agency director, PAE for missile warning and tracking
Defensescoop — 4:29 am ET (0829 GMT) Vega C Deploys ESA-China Smile Satellite
Aviation Week — 4:28 am ET (0828 GMT) Sandhoo Becomes U.S. SDA Leader And Space Force PAE
Aviation Week — 4:25 am ET (0825 GMT) Peterson needs more room for workers, as Space Force plans to double in size
Colorado Springs Gazette — 4:25 am ET (0825 GMT) |
