Author Topic: LIVE: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016  (Read 46801 times)

Offline bolun

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http://www.eurockot.com/missions/manifest/

Quote
The next spacecraft on the manifest of Eurockot is Sentinel-3A from the Copernicus Sentinel range of satellites. Sentinel-3A is presently scheduled to be launched in 4Q 2015 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-3A_on_its_way

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The latest satellite for the European Commission’s Copernicus environmental programme has left France bound for the Plesetsk launch site in Russia and launch late next month.

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Sentinel-3A is scheduled for liftoff on a Rockot launcher at the end of December.

Image credit: ESA–J.F. Flamand
« Last Edit: 01/27/2016 11:00 am by Satori »

Offline bolun

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel 3-A - Plesetsk - December, 2015
« Reply #1 on: 11/21/2015 05:33 pm »

Online jacqmans

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel 3-A - Plesetsk - December, 2015
« Reply #2 on: 11/30/2015 12:55 pm »
Arrival of Sentinel-3A at Arkhangelsk
 
The start of the unloading of Sentinel-3A from the Antonov aircraft at Arkhangelsk, Russia, prior to shipment by rail to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, on 28 November 2015.
 
The mission is the result of close collaboration between ESA, the European Commission, Eumetsat, France’s CNES space agency, industry, service providers and data users. The satellite will systematically measure Earth’s oceans, land, ice and atmosphere to monitor and understand large-scale global dynamics. It will provide critical near-realtime information for ocean and weather forecasting.
Jacques :-)

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel 3-A - Plesetsk - December, 2015
« Reply #3 on: 11/30/2015 04:41 pm »
Does Plesetsk have an airport?  Or are all air shipments bound for Plesetsk via Arkhangelsk?

A certain on-line encyclopedia informs me that Arkhangelsk is 200 km north of Plesetsk.

If Plesetsk does lack an airport, is that much of an issue--are most domestic shipments to Plesetsk via rail?
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Offline anik

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel 3-A - Plesetsk - December, 2015
« Reply #4 on: 11/30/2015 06:20 pm »
Does Plesetsk have an airport?  Or are all air shipments bound for Plesetsk via Arkhangelsk?

Yes, it has. Plestsy airport. It is available for landing not for all types of planes.

Offline Satori

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel 3-A - Plesetsk - December, 2015
« Reply #5 on: 12/02/2015 11:11 am »
Acoording to information on the Novosti Kosmonavtiki forum, this launch will onle take place at the end of January 2016.

Offline Satori

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - January 2016
« Reply #6 on: 12/03/2015 04:24 pm »
"After an eventful journey to Russia, by plane, lorry and train, the Sentinel-3A satellite is safe and sound in the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia, for lift-off next month."

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-3A_taking_final_steps_to_launch

Offline bolun

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - January 2016
« Reply #7 on: 12/04/2015 07:58 pm »
"After an eventful journey to Russia, by plane, lorry and train, the Sentinel-3A satellite is safe and sound in the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia, for lift-off next month."

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-3A_taking_final_steps_to_launch

"Bruno Berruti, ESA’s Sentinel-3 Project Manager, comments, “We’ve had some delays from Cannes to Plesetsk. The journey has taken almost two weeks instead of the expected two and a half days, but our baby is finally here safe and sound, so we are all relieved. "

Offline input~2

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - January 2016
« Reply #8 on: 12/04/2015 09:28 pm »
"After an eventful journey to Russia, by plane, lorry and train, the Sentinel-3A satellite is safe and sound in the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia, for lift-off next month."

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-3A_taking_final_steps_to_launch

"Bruno Berruti, ESA’s Sentinel-3 Project Manager, comments, “We’ve had some delays from Cannes to Plesetsk. The journey has taken almost two weeks instead of the expected two and a half days, but our baby is finally here safe and sound, so we are all relieved. "
First installation in the Antonov An-124 on November 20

Offline bolun

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - end January 2016
« Reply #9 on: 12/07/2015 08:35 am »
http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/2015/12/04/unpacking-and-getting-organised/

Unpacking and getting organised

Quote
The officer in charge of the activities reported that the Military Commando in Moscow prohibited any activities during the holiday period, therefore the launch campaign should restart on 11 January.

The same officer confirmed their preference for the satellite to be stored in its container during the break, even if this may mean delaying the launch campaign by a few days.

Quote
.... the military and Khrunichev will proceed to provide their inputs to their management for the formalisation of a new launch date.

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - end January 2016
« Reply #10 on: 12/07/2015 04:14 pm »
http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/2015/12/04/unpacking-and-getting-organised/

Unpacking and getting organised

Quote
The officer in charge of the activities reported that the Military Commando in Moscow prohibited any activities during the holiday period, therefore the launch campaign should restart on 11 January.

The same officer confirmed their preference for the satellite to be stored in its container during the break, even if this may mean delaying the launch campaign by a few days.

Quote
.... the military and Khrunichev will proceed to provide their inputs to their management for the formalisation of a new launch date.
I see that in recent years, the New Year's Holiday has expanded to take in New Year's Day, January 2-6, Russian Orthodox Christmas on January 7, and January 8.  Then there's the weekend immediately following in 2016 on January 9-10.

Also, this quote from the same blog entry, published December 4:
Quote
Most of the activities that we had planned for today were carried out despite the fact that we had some delays because we couldn’t use the main hall for two hours as the Russian military was busy moving a booster.
Would this have been the Soyuz-2-1V launched on December 5?  Or something else?
« Last Edit: 12/07/2015 04:16 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline russianhalo117

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - end January 2016
« Reply #11 on: 12/07/2015 06:01 pm »
http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/2015/12/04/unpacking-and-getting-organised/

Unpacking and getting organised

Quote
The officer in charge of the activities reported that the Military Commando in Moscow prohibited any activities during the holiday period, therefore the launch campaign should restart on 11 January.

The same officer confirmed their preference for the satellite to be stored in its container during the break, even if this may mean delaying the launch campaign by a few days.

Quote
.... the military and Khrunichev will proceed to provide their inputs to their management for the formalisation of a new launch date.
I see that in recent years, the New Year's Holiday has expanded to take in New Year's Day, January 2-6, Russian Orthodox Christmas on January 7, and January 8.  Then there's the weekend immediately following in 2016 on January 9-10.

Also, this quote from the same blog entry, published December 4:
Quote
Most of the activities that we had planned for today were carried out despite the fact that we had some delays because we couldn’t use the main hall for two hours as the Russian military was busy moving a booster.
Would this have been the Soyuz-2-1V launched on December 5?  Or something else?
With a quick check of the Plesetsk rail system and Rockot user guide launch campaign timeline, the movement seems more likely to do with Rockot Processing (Pad Check of the launcher or return of the booster to the MIK following the recent delay to January) than Soyuz rollout.

Final rollout of Rockot Booster to the Pad will occur on the 23rd day of the mission campaign when following the standard campaign profile.
« Last Edit: 12/07/2015 06:39 pm by russianhalo117 »

Offline bolun

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - end January 2016
« Reply #12 on: 12/10/2015 10:38 am »
12/08/2015

Sentinel-3A satellite and Launch Vehicle Check-Outs Started

After arrival at the Rockot integration facility (MIK), the Sentinel-3A satellite was unloaded from its transport container and erected in the dedicated spacecraft clean room. On Saturday, December 5th, the satellite was powered up for the first time after a long journey marking the start of various electrical test runs.

In parallel, the Breeze-KM upper stage and the payload fairing have arrived at the MIK for extensive check-outs in preparation for a launch vehicle dry-run and eventually mating with the spacecraft.

On Monday, December 7th, the Sentinel-3A team started the propulsion system checks. During these activities, the propellant tanks are pressurized to confirm their structural integrity before the spacecraft may be fuelled.

http://www.eurockot.com/2015/12/sentinel-3a-satellite-and-launch-vehicle-check-outs-started/

Offline bolun

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - end January 2016
« Reply #13 on: 12/13/2015 08:49 pm »
12/11/2015

Rockot Launch Vehicle and Sentinel-3A Satellite Undergo Extensive Testing

So far, the Sentinel-3A satellite and the launch vehicle components, Rockot’s upper stage Breeze-KM and the payload fairing, are being processed in different clean rooms by their respective engineering teams.

The electrical check-out on the satellite continues. The check-up on the Attitude and Orbit Control Subsystem on Sentinel-3A started; the activation lines (to trigger unfolding the solar array wing once the satellite is in orbit) have been tested as well. Instrument testing of the spacecraft payload is on-going.

The propulsion system tests on Sentinel-3A have been concluded on December 9th.

In the meantime, the electrical check-out on the Breeze-KM has been completed successfully. In a next step, the launch vehicle components will be prepared for a so-called dry-run to test the actual assembly: Today, December 11th, the payload faring will be installed on the upper stage.

http://www.eurockot.com/2015/12/rockot-launch-vehicle-and-sentinel-3a-satellite-undergo-extensive-testing/

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - end January 2016
« Reply #14 on: 12/19/2015 06:31 pm »
12/18/2015

Functional Testing Completed – Preparing for the Holidays

The Sentinel-3A satellite successfully passed the functional test series which kept the spacecraft team busy for the past two weeks. The platform and instrument subsystems have been deemed healthy and are ready to carry out their mission.

The Rockot launch vehicle completed the dry run and associated checks with success as well. Having been returned from the launch pad to the test and integration facility MIK, the Upper Composite (occasionally also referred to as Space Head Unit) is currently disassembled again into the Breeze-KM upper stage and the two half-shells of the payload fairing.

The completion of stand-alone testing of the satellite and launch vehicle marks a new phase in the launch campaign which will go into a break over the holiday season. In order to keep the Sentinel-3A spacecraft in an optimal environment during the upcoming three-weeks-long storage period, the satellite will be put back into its container. The handling activities commenced today; by Monday the spacecraft will be enclosed inside its container and exposed to a protective atmosphere.

The launch campaign team will return home on December 22nd; only a small group of five will stay at the Cosmodrome to watch over Sentinel-3A. The campaign will resume in 2016 on January 11th.

The Eurockot team wishes all fellow launch campaign members and their families happy holidays and a cheerful time for recreation. We are looking forward to a successful start together into the New Year with the continuation of our common work.

http://www.eurockot.com/2015/12/functional-testing-completed-preparing-for-the-holidays/

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 4, 2016
« Reply #15 on: 01/12/2016 10:58 am »
http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/2016/01/12/back-to-plesetsk-and-brrrrr-its-cold/

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.... Assuming everything is ok, we’ll open the container on Wednesday and then we’ll be ready to resume the final countdown to launch on 4 February.

Offline bolun

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 4, 2016
« Reply #16 on: 01/15/2016 01:33 pm »
01/15/2016

Sentinel-3A back in testing mode

The Sentinel-3A launch campaign resumed with the removal of the satellite from its container. After clean room conditions had been reinstated and the cleanliness was checked, the spacecraft could be released from the protective environment inside the container to be returned into the dedicated clean room for further processing.

With the opening of the spacecraft container on January 13th, Sentinel-3A was subjected over two days to a couple of maneuvers to be brought back to its test stand: lifting out of the container, mounting on horizontal handling device, erection into a vertical position, and mounting on its stand.

Sentinel-3A currently undergoes electrical testing and final installation of multi-layer insulation (MLI) to get ready for fueling mid of next week.

The activities on the Rockot launcher will resume next week to be synchronized with the satellite schedule. Satellite and launcher activities will be coordinated as part of the joint operations in about ten days.

http://www.eurockot.com/2016/01/sentinel-3a-back-in-testing-mode/

Online eeergo

http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/2016/01/21/satellite-fuelling-on-hold/

Satellite fueling has been put on hold until Feb 2nd, and launch will be delayed until the second half of the month, while the launch pad is recertified (launch vehicle team needs another dress rehearsal with the GSE).
-DaviD-

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #19 on: 02/01/2016 01:49 pm »
Press Release
N°03-2016

Paris, 1 February 2016

Call for Media: Launch of Sentinel-3 satellite for Copernicus

The third satellite of Europe’s Copernicus programme is set for launch from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia on 16 February at 17:57 GMT (18:57 CET). Media representatives are invited to follow the launch at the main event at ESA’s operations
centre in Darmstadt, Germany. 

The Sentinels are a fleet of satellites designed to deliver the wealth of data and imagery that are central to the European Commission’s Copernicus programme. 

This unique environmental monitoring programme is providing a step change in the way we view and manage our environment, understand and tackle the effects of climate change and safeguard everyday lives. 

Carrying a suite of cutting-edge instruments, Sentinel-3 will systematically measure Earth’s oceans, land, ice and atmosphere to monitor and understand large-scale global dynamics. It will provide essential information in near-real time for ocean and
weather forecasting. 

With a focus on our oceans, Sentinel-3 measures the temperature, colour and height of the sea surface as well as the thickness of sea ice. These measurements will be used, for example, to monitor changes in sea level, marine pollution and biological
productivity. 

Over land, this innovative mission will provide a bigger picture by monitoring wildfires, mapping the way land is used, observing vegetation state and measuring the height of rivers and lakes – complementing the high-resolution measurements of its
Sentinel-2 sister mission. 

Sentinel-3 is based on a two identical satellites (Sentinel-3A and -3B) working together for optimum global coverage and data delivery. For example, with a swath width of 1270 km, the ocean and land colour sensor will provide global coverage every
two days. 

The mission is the result of close collaboration between ESA, the European Commission, Eumetsat, France’s CNES space agency, industry, service providers and data users. The satellites were designed and built by a consortium of around 100 companies
under the leadership of Thales Alenia Space, France. 

For the latest news and information on this mission, visit www.esa.int/Sentinel-3   

The Twitter hashtag to follow is #Sentinel3

Launch event at ESOC, ESA’s space operations centre

Doors open at 17:30 CET (16:30 GMT). Addresses by ESA’s Director General, the ESA Director of Operations and high-level representatives from the European Commission and Eumetsat will begin the event. Speakers will also include representatives from
German national ministries. Experts will then provide an overview on the socio-economic impact of Copernicus and the concrete use of Sentinel-3 data for ocean and land monitoring. 

Before the launch event, there will be the opportunity for interested journalists to visit Eumetsat’s control room from 15:15 to 16:30 CET.

Media should register at https://myconvento.com/public/event_register/do_register/1248325 by 9 February 2016 at the latest.

Information on “How to get to ESOC”: www.esa.int/gettingtoesoc

Coverage 

ESA TV   
ESA TV will provide broadcasters with live satellite relay or live videostream of the launch from Plesetsk. 
Video material is available in the video archive, complemented with new productions according to the following provisional scheduleSentinel-3 technology and heritage 2 February; Copernicus 11 February . 
Details at: http://esatv.esa.int/Television

Website 
ESA’s Portal will cover the launch live, providing the videostream and updates of the launch at: www.esa.int/esalive and www.livestream.com/eurospaceagency
For a collection of videos, including interviews with key team members and animations, visit: www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Missions/Sentinel-3 
Jacques :-)

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #20 on: 02/02/2016 08:30 am »
Jacques :-)

Online eeergo

Fueling has begun, per Twitter.
-DaviD-

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #22 on: 02/02/2016 07:14 pm »
02/01/2016
GO for the fueling of the Sentinel-3A satellite

Today the Rockot Launch Vehicle Team reported a successful dry-run on the launch pad with the ascent unit, the so called Upper Composite, on top of the Booster Unit - however not fueled and without the spacecraft under the payload fairing. This is the GO for the fueling of the Sentinel-3A satellite. The propellant loading operations had been thoroughly prepared during the preceding days. For the Upper Stage of the Rockot, the Breeze-KM, this means that the preparation of its fueling can now start as well.
Jacques :-)

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #23 on: 02/03/2016 09:14 am »
02/03/2016

Sentinel-3A fuelling commenced

The Spacecraft Team and the Launch Vehicle Team are now busy with fine-tuning the schedule for combined operations momentarily focusing on mating Sentinel-3A with the Upper Stage Breeze-KM before closure of the Rockot Payload Fairing.

Yesterday an important step, namely the fuelling of the spacecraft, took place and the activities will be finalized today (see picture below). Meanwhile the preparation for the fuelling of Breeze-KM has also started.

In a short briefing at the end of the day both teams in view of launching Sentinel-3A on Rockot on February 16th, 2016 proudly reported: All nominal!

http://www.eurockot.com/2016/02/sentinel-3a-fuelling-commenced/

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #24 on: 02/04/2016 12:50 pm »
Jacques :-)

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #25 on: 02/06/2016 01:35 pm »
02/06/2016

Combined operations started

Yesterday was the first day of the so called combined operations aiming at stacking the spacecraft on top of the upper stage.

The mechanism that holds both together, the Adapter System, has also the task to separate and inject the spacecraft when the target orbit is reached. It mainly consists of a tightened clamp band or ring which is released by means of a pyro element at time of separation.

Khrunichev has started the electrical checkouts on the Adapter System to make sure that not only the mechanical interfaces perfectly match but also the electrical interfaces.

http://www.eurockot.com/2016/02/combined-operations-started/

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #26 on: 02/08/2016 08:43 am »
SENTINEL-3A MEETS FLIGHT AND LAUNCH ADAPTERS


Over the weekend, Sentinel-3A was mated with the flight and launch adapters in the next steps to prepare it for launch next week.


While Saturday’s mating with the flight adapter was successful, there was a minor hiccup:

In order to install the clamp-band which fixes the satellite to the adapter, it needs to be positioned, heated up to 100°C, clamped and then cooled. During the cooling, the pre-tension of the clamp-band increases and at ambient temperature the nominal clamp-band tension has to be reached, otherwise the entire process needs to be repeated. Once the tension is reached, the adapter spring actuators are installed, the spacecaft umbilicals are connected and the adapter pyros are installed. The total process takes between 5 and 7 hours.

Saturday’s pre-tensioning process had to be repeated twice in order to reach the correct value, leading to a completion of this activity at around 20:00 in the evening.

The first switch-on of the satellite on the adapter was then successfully performed, together with a set of electrical checks to prove that the new assembly is working properly.

Yesterday, Sentinel-3A and the flight adapter was transferred from the 101A cleanroom to the 101B cleanroom where the launch adapter, called the Breeze Upper Stage, is located. Both the 101B cleanroom and the Breeze had underwent a deep cleaning in order to comply with requirements.

The satellite was then hoisted in the air and lowered onto the Breeze. By 16:00 the mating of the satellite and flight adapter with the Breeze was completed.

Today’s activities will be mainly dedicated to finalising the satellite and Breeze configurations, as well as the satellite switch-on and electrical testing with the Upper Stage.

http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/2016/02/08/sentinel-3a-meets-flight-and-launch-adapters/

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #27 on: 02/10/2016 11:18 am »
02/09/2016

Sentinel-3A fairing encapsulation

Today was the last day when all Launch Campaign participants had an opportunity to see Sentinel-3A for the last time. Today the fairing encapsulation took place. From now on till the fairing jettison the spacecraft will stay reliably protected under the launch vehicle fairing.

Tomorrow Sentinel-3A as well as Eurockot logos will be fixed on the fairing. After that all Launch Campaign participants will leave their signatures on the logos.

http://www.eurockot.com/2016/02/sentinel-3a-fairing-encapsulation/

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #28 on: 02/11/2016 11:54 am »
02/10/2016
Good wishes for Sentinel-3A and Rockot

Today we followed the nice tradition to sign the fairing logo in memory to all people who were involved in the project.

It takes place before the Space Head is leaving the cleanroom. Everybody wrote down good wishes for the spacecraft and the rocket.

Tomorrow the Space Head will be moved to the General Hall.
Jacques :-)

Online eeergo

Mating with the booster has been completed. This launch (#25 for Rokot) has the designation "Libra" because its constellation can be drawn with 25 stars. Apparently it's a Russian tradition in Plesetsk (also elsewhere?). Also a French teammember broke an ankle slipping in the icy paths  :-\
-DaviD-

Offline Lewis007

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #30 on: 02/13/2016 06:59 am »
Attached are some Sentinel-3A brochures and factsheets

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #31 on: 02/13/2016 12:19 pm »
Some information from the Khrunichev website:

Quote
Sentinel-3A is the third satellite to be launched for Europe’s Copernicus environmental monitoring programme, previously known as the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security programme (GMES). Sentinel-3A is the Copernicus operational wide-swath medium-resolution ocean and land mission designed for providing continuity to optical and altimetry data of the ENVISAT mission and vegetation data of the SPOT (from French «Satellite pour l’Observation de la Terre») mission.

Sentinel-3A will globally monitor ocean, ice and land combining a multi-spectral optical mission which provides sea/ land colour data and surface temperatures and an altimetry mission contributing to the determination of the sea surface, ice surface and in-land water topography. In addition, as complementary objectives, the Sentinel-3A mission provides vegetation, fire identification and atmospheric products.

ESA is developing six families of Sentinel satellites specifically for Copernicus. Each operational Sentinel system comprises two identical satellite flight models to comply with tight revisit and product delivery latency. The Contracts procuring additional flight models for some of the Sentinel mission have been recently signed, ensuring continuity of Copernicus data for at least two decades. The Sentinel-3 mission is based on a constellation of two identical satellites, the first two called Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B, launched separately. Sentinel-3A, the first satellite model of the Sentinel-3 twin-satellite constellation, will be launched on a Russiabuilt Rockot launch vehicle from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia, located at 63°N, 40°E.

Copernicus is the most ambitious Earth observation programme to date, conducted jointly by the EC, ESA, EUMETSAT and the member states. Supporting European policies, Copernicus uses accurate and timely data to provide key information services to improve the way the environment is managed, help mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure civil security. In essence, Copernicus will help shape the future of our planet for the benefit of all.



http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=735

edit by mod:should be http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=747
« Last Edit: 02/15/2016 07:25 pm by input~2 »

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Offline input~2

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #33 on: 02/15/2016 04:08 pm »
ARCTIC.
BARENTS SEA.
ROCKETS.
DNC 22.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 1740Z TO 1840Z DAILY
16 AND 17 FEB IN AREA BOUND BY
72-18-15N 030-54-30E, 72-10-15N 031-46-10E,
71-48-55N 032-18-27E, 71-31-42N 032-06-30E,
71-39-40N 031-16-30E, 72-00-55N 030-43-05E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 171940Z FEB 16.//

Authority: NAVAREA XX 14/16 120530Z FEB 16.
Date: 120535Z FEB 16
Cancel: 17194000 Feb 16


NOTAM for 1st stage debris
G0584/16 -  TEMPO DANGER AREA ACT WI COORD: 713142N 0320630E-713142N 0320630E-713200N 0320500E- 715800N 0320500E-714855N 0321827E-713142N 0320630E. SFC - UNL, DAILY 1740-1840, 16 FEB 17:40 2016 UNTIL 17 FEB 18:40 2016. CREATED: 12 FEB 07:35 2016

for 1st stage and fairing debris
A0512/16 -  FOLLOWING RECEIVED FM MAIN AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER OF RUSSIA AT 1602090825: PLANS TO LAUNCH MISSILE IN THE SPACE IN THE PERIOD FROM 1740 TO 1840 ON FEBRUARY 16, 2016 (ALT. DATE: FEBRUARY 17, 2016 FROM 1740 TO 1840) AND TO SINK ITS FRAGMENTES IN THE WATERS OF THE BARENTS SEA. CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPACT AREAS: AREA  1: 721824N 0305430E - 721024N 0314612E - 714854N 0321830E - 713142N 0320630E - 713942N 0311630E - 720054N 0304306E - 721824N 0305430E AREA  2: 742336N 0253918E - 742706N 0273400E - 740142N 0283930E - 733336N 0275230E - 733018N 0260336E - 735454N 0245618E - 742336N 0253918E. GND - UNL, 16 FEB 17:40 2016 UNTIL 17 FEB 18:40 2016. CREATED: 09 FEB 11:15 2016

for 2nd stage debris
B0451/16 -  DAH IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS: CYD 999 ROCKET HAZARD AREA BOUNDED BY 7736N 7552W-7735N 7408W- 7707N 7306W-7647N 7421W-7647N 7600W-7701N 7658W-7722N 7705W- 7736N 7552W. SFC TO UNL. ACFT SHOULD REMAIN CLR OF AREA DUE TO DANGER FM FALLING DEBRIS. SFC - UNL, DLY 1740-1840, 16 FEB 17:40 2016 UNTIL 17 FEB 18:40 2016. CREATED: 12 FEB 21:35 2016
« Last Edit: 02/15/2016 04:13 pm by input~2 »

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #34 on: 02/15/2016 04:42 pm »
Could it be possible to recover debris from the 2nd stage on the ice floe?

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #35 on: 02/15/2016 06:44 pm »
Could it be possible to recover debris from the 2nd stage on the ice floe?

Hmmmmm I wonder if we'll see the reentry up here. That's only 80ish miles from Thule.

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #36 on: 02/15/2016 07:03 pm »
2 more to be complete!
A0028/16 (BIRD)-  TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED WITHIN BGGL FIR. RUSSIAN MISSILE LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE. DEBRIS IMPACTED AREA IN THE BAFFIN SEA BOUNDED BY: 7736N07552W 7735N07408W 7707N07306W 7647N07421W 7647N07600W 7701N07658W 7722N07705W 7736N07552W. FL195 - UNL, DAILY 1740-1910, 16 FEB 17:40 2016 UNTIL 17 FEB 19:10 2016. CREATED: 10 FEB 13:04 2016

A0041/16 (BGGL)-  TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED RUSSIAN MISSILE LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE. DEBRIS IMPACTED AREA IN THE BAFFIN SEA BOUNDED BY: 7736N07552W 7735N07408W 7707N07306W 7647N07421W 7647N07600W 7701N07658W 7722N07705W 7736N07552W. SFC - FL195, DAILY 1740-1910, 16 FEB 17:40 2016 UNTIL 17 FEB 19:10 2016. CREATED: 10 FEB 08:50 2016

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #37 on: 02/15/2016 07:10 pm »
Could it be possible to recover debris from the 2nd stage on the ice floe?

Hmmmmm I wonder if we'll see the reentry up here. That's only 80ish miles from Thule.
Yep, you could go to the impact zone on a skidoo and search for debris ;)

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Re: Rokot/Briz-KM - Sentinel-3A - Plesetsk - February 16, 2016
« Reply #38 on: 02/16/2016 05:27 am »
Sentinel-3A launch event
http://m.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-3/Sentinel-3A_launch_event

Live from ESA, follow the event to celebrate the launch of the third satellite for Europe’s Copernicus environment monitoring programme.


The first in the two-satellite mission, Sentinel-3A, is set for launch from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia on 16 February at 17:57 GMT.

During the event at ESA’s ESOC European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, a number of the key players in the mission will talk about preparing the satellite for launch and discuss its benefits and applications.

The live webstream will begin at 17:00 GMT and end at 19:40 GMT, with a break 18:25–19:10 GMT.

Programme (all times in GMT)

17:00   Introduction and welcome addresses by representatives from ESA, the European Commission and the German government

17:20   Status check and introduction to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome

17:30   Introduction to the Copernicus programme and the Sentinel-3 mission

17:50   Live broadcast from Plesetsk             

17:57   Liftoff

18:05   Discussion with a panel of Sentinel-3 data users

18:20   Flight update

18:25   Break

19:10   Live broadcast from Plesetsk: status check

19:20   Presentation on the Copernicus programme and ESA heritage

19:30   Watch the first acquisition of signal live from the Mission Control Room

19:40   End of live coverage from ESOC

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Quote from: @esa 31m ago
Launch update: Sentinel3A satellite is now in launch configuration and powered by flight batteries. Green for launch.

Quote from: @esaoperations 53m ago
First to acquire Sentinel3A tonight is #ESTRACK Kiruna station in Sweden http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/Estrack

Quote from: @esaoperations 1h ago
T-6 hours - network countdown has begun - a synchronised sequence by facilities worldwide to support Sentinel3A launch
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Offline Satori

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An amazing set of photos from launch preparation and also from inside de launch complex is available from here: http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Missions/Sentinel-3

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Preview (thanks to all the documentation posted here, good work!)

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/02/russian-rokot-sentinel-3a-launch/
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From Twitter: range reports weather is GREEN for launch.
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Russian ground stations GREEN.
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Webcast about to start. Inside L-1h.
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 04:00 pm by eeergo »
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Started. Flashy media event!
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Ground segment polling. All GO.
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 04:05 pm by eeergo »
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To the German Minister of Economy: "It's good to have you here... budget-wise! ................. Well and anyhow else..."  ;D
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 04:08 pm by eeergo »
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Sentinel 3A final GO/NO-GO poll.

All GO from the spacecraft side.
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ESA Director General and German Minister of Transportation (in the pic) giving their speeches.
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Explaining Sentinel 3A's mission with relaxing videos of jellyfish, waves and an actual scientist.
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Launch provider representative talking about the vehicle's segment and a live shot from the pad.
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People having a blast about how cold winter is in Russia  ???
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 04:24 pm by eeergo »
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Very fluffy, but enjoyable :)
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"Mr Sentinel" reporting from Plesetsk everything is green.
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Andrea Acommazzo (which some may remember from Rosetta and Philae's adventures :) ) explaining ESOC's roles.
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Offline fs10inator

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"We would take all measures to protect your spacecraft"
lmao
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 04:32 pm by fs10inator »

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It's the SpaceX fan club otherwise known as CNES.

(It's funny because they hate SpaceX ;D)
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How much of the second stage could survive reentry?

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"Landsat is... I should not say this but... is a bit outdated, and the US is starting to use our data"  ::)
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Thales Alenia has just signed the contracts for Sentinel 3C and 3D.
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 04:40 pm by eeergo »
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ESA Operations reporting the satellite is in internal power.
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15 min
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

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T-15 mins and we're still in "chat" mode.
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"We have established the ocean stores most of the available water"  ;)
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Offline Prober

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« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 04:46 pm by Prober »
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

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2 cm height and 0.3K level of precision for S3A's instruments.

"Try measuring your bathwater with that level of precision"
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 04:49 pm by eeergo »
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CNES guy asked about Jason-3 that was launched by SpaceX. Awkward!
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operations
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

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CNES guy asked about Jason-3 that was launched by SpaceX. Awkward!

His finger is betraying his feelings :)

Record year for ESA.
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Tower retracting from vehicule and container.
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Rocket!
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tower retract
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

Offline Flying_Beaver

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I really do hate ESA's launch coverage  >:(  Too much chat, not enough rokot ;)

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Quote from: @esaoperations
A quick shot of an #ESOC tradition - all the missions' #Sentinel3 good luck cards on the main control room door :)
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T-3 mins.
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 04:55 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Irreversible sequence started.
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When clock hits zero, 11 seconds till ignition and a further three until liftoff.

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T-0 is planned for inertial-to-gyro reference switch. 14 seconds will elapse until liftoff, with ignition at T+11s.
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liftoff!

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LAUNCH!!

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Into the clouds.
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Launch and go
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 05:00 pm by Prober »
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

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Back to chat, though the gantry was smoking a lot.
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Staging

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Staging.
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Fairing sep
T/W of 2

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Fairing sep.
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nice Amiga graphics
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

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Second stage will burn for three minutes.

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Second stage separated.

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2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

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Launch phase trajectories.
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First burn of the Briz-KM.
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ESA Operations ‏@esaoperations  30s31 seconds ago
#Rockot confirm exact #Sentinel3 launch time was 17:57:40 UTC

--

Rui says "That's not the EXACT launch time!" ;D
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Alien battle in space... or stingrays eating fish.
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LOS until it comes back over Europe... and so lots of talk coming up.
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Launch video is up:

« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 05:09 pm by eeergo »
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Briz-KM MECO-1 and start of coasting should have happened. Second and final burn expected to take place over Madagascar.
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 05:14 pm by eeergo »
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Offline input~2

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How much of the second stage could survive reentry?
Hopefully our forum member in Thule AB, close to 2nd stage debris NOTAMed zone, will have observed the reentry
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 05:25 pm by input~2 »

Offline input~2

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Representation of 1st stage and fairing impact zones
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 05:33 pm by input~2 »

Offline input~2

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Event timeline (observed vs nominal) up to 2nd stage separation

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Kiruna's antenna is being swiveled to the horizon where the upper composite is expected to rise in a few minutes.
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Briz-KM stage restart should be occurring at this time.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

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Engine cutoff has occurred and we're standing by for spacecraft separation.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

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Sentinel 3A should have separated from the Briz-KM by now. We're at T+1 hour and 20 minutes into the flight.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

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(Trees not to scale).
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Now they are showing a movie of whales and stuff, and interviewing the director.
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Heh! Although she is brilliant :)

Still waiting for the AOS.
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Offline input~2

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Satellite signal has been received!

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Cheering and high fives....so that'll be AOS.
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First command has been sent, and solar array deploy should be happening now.
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Svalbard's Kongsberg station now tracking.
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From https://twitter.com/esaoperations

Quote
First reports from the team indicate #Sentinel3 is healthy and in good condition :)

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From https://twitter.com/esaoperations

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#Sentinel3 solar array has deployed! The satellite and its thirsty batteries are drinking in the sunlight now

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ESA Operations ‏@esaoperations  30s31 seconds ago
#Rockot confirm exact #Sentinel3 launch time was 17:57:40 UTC

--

Rui says "That's not the EXACT launch time!" ;D

Ah! According to Khrunichev was 17:57:45.065UTC!!!! ;)

Offline northenarc

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 Had to get a picture of the cake  8) Congrats to all.

https://twitter.com/kryosat/status/699682250129068032
 
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 06:59 pm by northenarc »

Online jacqmans

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Third Sentinel satellite launched for Copernicus 

The third ESA-developed satellite carrying four Earth-observing instruments was launched today, ready to provide a 'bigger picture' for Europe's Copernicus environment programme.

The 1150 kg Sentinel-3A satellite was carried into orbit on a Rockot launcher from Plesetsk, Russia, at 17:57 GMT (18:57 CET; 20:57 local time) on 16 February. 

After a first burn starting about five minutes after liftoff and a second about 70 min later, Rockot's upper stage delivered Sentinel-3A into its planned orbit, 815 km above Earth. The satellite separated 79 min into the flight.


The first signal from Sentinel-3A was received after 92 min by the Kiruna station in Sweden. Telemetry links and attitude control were then established by controllers at ESA's ESOC operations centre in Darmstadt, Germany, allowing
them to monitor the health of the satellite. 

After the launch and the early orbit phase of three days, controllers will begin checking that all the satellite elements are working and subsequently calibrate the instruments to commission the satellite. The mission is expected
to begin operations in five months. 

"With the successful launch of Sentinel-3 we are now looking forward to how our teams of experts will steer this mission into its operational life - like they have done the first two satellites of the series," said ESA Director
General Jan Woerner. 

"This is another demonstration of the broad range of competence we have at ESA from the early design phase until the operational mission in orbit." 

The mission is the third of six families of dedicated missions that make up the core of Europe's Copernicus environmental monitoring network. Copernicus relies on the Sentinels and contributing missions to provide data for
monitoring the environment and supporting civil security activities. Sentinel-3 carries a series of cutting-edge sensors to do just that. 

Over oceans, it measures the temperature, colour and height of the sea surface as well as the thickness of sea ice. These measurements will be used, for example, to monitor changes in Earth's climate and for more hands-on applications
such as marine pollution and biological productivity. 

Over land, this innovative mission will monitor wildfires, map the way land is used, check vegetation health and measure the height of rivers and lakes. 

"This is the third of the Sentinel satellites launched in the less than two years - and it is certainly a special moment. It also marks a new era for the Copernicus Services, with Sentinel-3 providing a whole range of new data
with unprecedented coverage of the oceans," said the Director of ESA's Earth Observation Programmes, Volker Liebig. 

Sentinel-3B, its twin satellite, is scheduled for launch next year. 

Data from all the Sentinels are used worldwide and are free of charge for all users.



Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 07:38 pm by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

Online jacqmans

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02/16/2016
Rockot orbits European Copernicus Satellite Sentinel-3A successfully

Eurockot successfully launched the Sentinel-3A satellite today at 20:57 hrs local time (17:57 hrs UTC) from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Northern Russia.

A Rockot launch vehicle orbited Sentinel-3A into an orbit of approx. 815 km altitude and 98.65 degrees. This launch was Eurockot's first in support of the European Copernicus satellite system.


http://www.eurockot.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Launch-Success_Sentinel-3A.pdf
« Last Edit: 02/16/2016 07:41 pm by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

Offline Satori

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Spacecraft separation took place at 19:17:22.905UTC.

Offline AirmanPika

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I apologize for the low quality video but since I was using a GoPro I had to zoom it to make it evident. Watch it in 1080p full screen and look towards the center.

This is the second stage reentry as shot from Thule AB, Greenland :)

We almost were about to call it quits when it lit up. It was so much better to the naked eye. Nice smoke trail that isn't very evident in the video.



I realized some may be having trouble viewing the original so I uploaded a further zoomed version...but fuzzier still unfortunately.

« Last Edit: 02/17/2016 12:20 am by AirmanPika »

Offline input~2

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I apologize for the low quality video but since I was using a GoPro I had to zoom it to make it evident. Watch it in 1080p full screen and look towards the center.

This is the second stage reentry as shot from Thule AB, Greenland :)

We almost were about to call it quits when it lit up. It was so much better to the naked eye. Nice smoke trail that isn't very evident in the video.

Very interesting video, thanks!

Offline input~2

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2 objects have been cataloged by USSTRATCOM

2016-011A/41335 in 802 x 805 km x 98.62° (S/C)
2016-011B/41336 in 415 x 745 km x 98.69° (Briz-KM)

Online ZachS09

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Congrats to the Sentinel 3A launch team for a successful liftoff! We only have a handful of Sentinel satellites on Earth either in construction or in ready-to-launch configs.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline Star One

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Why was this payload launched on a Rokot, as it's not like ESA is short of launchers of various different classes?

Offline HVM

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Offline Artyom.

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Offline denis

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Why was this payload launched on a Rokot, as it's not like ESA is short of launchers of various different classes?

They have often launched LEO satellites on small russian launchers in the past. Before Vega it made more sense I guess.
Even now, I don't think there is any requirement for ESA projets to launch on European launchers, so they might go for the cheaper option to meet budget constraints (so not Vega...).
There might also be launcher manifest availability issues.

This year, both Sentinel 5p and Sentinel 2B are planned to be launched on Rokot.

Offline Star One

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Why was this payload launched on a Rokot, as it's not like ESA is short of launchers of various different classes?

They have often launched LEO satellites on small russian launchers in the past. Before Vega it made more sense I guess.
Even now, I don't think there is any requirement for ESA projets to launch on European launchers, so they might go for the cheaper option to meet budget constraints (so not Vega...).
There might also be launcher manifest availability issues.

This year, both Sentinel 5p and Sentinel 2B are planned to be launched on Rokot.

Thank you. I just kind of assumed these would be the kind of payloads that Vega was designed and built for.

Offline Rik ISS-fan

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With the change to Ariane 6 and vega C the European member states and institutions commit themselfs to use at least 5 launches from arianespace per year (possibly more if it only counts for Ariane6's).
For the first fleet of sentinels (2a/b, 3a/b) it was decided to launch one of both on (then unproven) vega and on Rockot. So 2A and 3b are launched by vega and 2B and 3A are launched by Rockot.
Sentinel 5p will also be launched on Rockot (cheaper an was proven). the Sentinel 1s are to heavy for vega. So they launch (with secondaries) on Soyuz. Most likely all C and D sentinels will be launched by Vega (C), if so many launches are available.
« Last Edit: 02/17/2016 11:03 pm by Rik ISS-fan »

Offline Rik ISS-fan

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The planning for rokot launches used to be spread out over two years. Sentinel 5p in 2015 and Sentinel 3A and 2B this year 2016. But the sensor Tropomy from 5p was delayed, and thus the launch.
Also Sentinel 1B will launch in march if I'm not mistaken.
Next year Sentinel 3B on vega and than it will be quiet for a couple of years.
Until sentinel 5 on MetOp-SG A, sentinel 4 on MTG-S1 and Jason-CS/sentinel 6
and than soon the second batch of sentinel 1, 2 & 3.
Also the EDRS communicationat satellites (two of them, one already launched on proton) are planned for this year. That's why ESA's earth observation and launchers budget are large this year.

Offline Rocket Science

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Congrats to all the the teams well done! :)

Thank you for the article gentlemen on a busy day for space!
« Last Edit: 02/17/2016 11:35 pm by Rocket Science »
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline AirmanPika

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Out of planning curiosity are 5p and 2b planned to have similar launch profiles to 3A? I ask because assuming they happen while I am still up here I would love to capture better video of a reentry the next time around.

Offline Nicolas PILLET

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Rokot is put on the market by Eurockot, which is a company owned by Airbus (50%). So, Rokot is a some kind of "European launcher"...
Nicolas PILLET
Kosmonavtika : The French site on Russian Space

Online eeergo

ESA Operations confirms S3A was injected in a nearly-circular 817.5 km altitude, 98.7ş inclination orbit.
-DaviD-

Online eeergo

LEOP operations were completed in just 49 hours after separation, and S3A will be in commissioning phase for (what is expected to be) 5 months.

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/Nonstop_LEOP_full_stop
-DaviD-

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