Quote from: bolun on 02/29/2024 04:08 pmDate: 2024Site: Kourou, French GuianaRocket: VegaAlso, as of 23 February 2024:QuoteBiomass is planned to be launched in 2024 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on a Vega rocket.https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Biomass/ESA_s_forest_satellite_robust_for_launchWhile the statement in December 2023 was (fat by me):QuoteThat final Vega mission was previously set to launch the Biomass Earth science satellite for ESA. It is now currently scheduled to launch Sentinel-2C, another Earth science spacecraft that is part of the Copernicus program. Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s director of Earth observation, said that ESA has not yet identified a new launch opportunity for Biomass.https://spacenews.com/final-vega-launch-delayed-because-of-upper-stage-tank-problem/Does "currently" mean that this assignment could still change?To complete the confusion, now there are different launch dates for VV24, see Sentinel-2C thread - Q2 or September 2024.So the launch options for Biomass now are- maybe NET Q2 2024 on last Vega- maybe NET September 2024 on last Vega- maybe in a few years on Vega-C- maybe sooner on Falcon 9 or PSLV?
Date: 2024Site: Kourou, French GuianaRocket: Vega
Biomass is planned to be launched in 2024 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on a Vega rocket.
That final Vega mission was previously set to launch the Biomass Earth science satellite for ESA. It is now currently scheduled to launch Sentinel-2C, another Earth science spacecraft that is part of the Copernicus program. Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s director of Earth observation, said that ESA has not yet identified a new launch opportunity for Biomass.
...Also, as of 23 February 2024:QuoteBiomass is planned to be launched in 2024 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on a Vega rocket.https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Biomass/ESA_s_forest_satellite_robust_for_launch...
The launchDate: 2025Site: Kourou, French GuianaRocket: Vega-C
https://database.eohandbook.com/database/missionsummary.aspx?missionID=768QuoteCEOS EO HANDBOOK – MISSION SUMMARY - BiomassFull Name Biomass Status ApprovedMission Agencies ESA Launch Date Mar 2025https://space.oscar.wmo.int/satelliteprogrammes/view/biomassQuoteSatellite Programme: BIOMASS...Programme lifetime 2025 - 2030
CEOS EO HANDBOOK – MISSION SUMMARY - BiomassFull Name Biomass Status ApprovedMission Agencies ESA Launch Date Mar 2025
Satellite Programme: BIOMASS...Programme lifetime 2025 - 2030
The company recently shipped their 12-meter folded rib reflector to Airbus in Toulouse, France, for integration into the Biomass satellite. A joint project led by the ESA in collaboration with Airbus Defence and Space in the UK, Biomass will deliver crucial data on the amount of biomass and carbon stored in our forests, and how that impacts Earth’s climate. Installation of the reflector will begin in late Q4 2024. The Biomass satellite is set to launch in 2025.
We are working towards a launch in March-April 2025.
BIOMASS, the 7th Earth Explorer mission of ESA, is currently planned for launch during the second quarter of 2025.
Hat tip to others for this find (see "Information" > "Master Slide Deck")
Vega C Returns to Flight Deploying Sentinel-1CDecember 6, 2024[...]With the successful launch of the third Vega C rocket, Avio appears to have put all issues with the rocket behind it. The next flight of Vega C is expected to take place in early 2025. The launch will carry the ESA Biomass Earth observation satellite into orbit for ESA.
N° 3–2025: Media invitation: last chance to see ESA’s Biomass satellite in Europe22 January 2025[...]This prestigious event offers the media a unique chance to see ESA’s latest Earth Explorer satellite before it is prepared for shipment to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, where it is scheduled for liftoff in early April. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about the mission firsthand from experts involved in the mission, conduct interviews, and photograph the satellite in the cleanroom.[...]
Biomass: The final sprint 🏁This week, the Airbus-built forest 🌳monitoring satellite, Biomass, is doing its final tests before shipment to French Guiana, for its launch in April. Built in Stevenage 🇬🇧 and now being tested in our Toulouse 🇫🇷 cleanrooms, the forest monitoring satellite is almost at the end of a series of tests to replicate the extreme conditions during launch and the harsh environment in orbit.
See you soon, Biomass! 👋Today, Biomass took the road to Sète 🇫🇷 to reach its new home for the next few weeks: the Toucan boat.⛴️Its journey will end in Kourou, French Guiana, for a launch scheduled this spring. 🚀It will then be ready to start its mission to measure the world's forests and their ability to capture carbon and how that affects climate change. 🌍🌳
After almost two weeks at sea, MN Toucan arrived safe and sound in the harbour at Pariacabo – the Kourou harbour.Stefan Kiryenko, ESA’s Biomass Launch Campaign Manager, said, “We are obviously delighted to have our precious cargo on dry land again and our thanks to the MN Toucan operators and to the Airbus logistic team, for carrying Biomass across the Atlantic.“We now have the satellite in the cleanroom at Europe’s Spaceport and will be first checking that all is well with our baby – and then we have an intensive six-week programme of preparing it to be encapsulated in the Vega-C rocket fairing for liftoff in late April.”
Now safely in the cleanroom at Europe’s Spaceport, it will be first thoroughly inspected to ensure that it is in good health, but first indications are that “Biomass is in great shape.” Over the course of the next weeks, the teams will prepare this cutting-edge Earth-observing satellite for liftoff on a Vega-C rocket at the end of April.
Since its arrival at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana three weeks ago, ESA’s Biomass satellite has been under the scrutiny of satellite engineers who have been carefully executing the long list of tasks on the ‘to do’ list to make this new Earth Explorer mission ready for liftoff on 29 April. The latest milestone passed, is that Biomass’ propulsion subsystem has been prepared for fuelling and has undergone thorough system checks.The check-out process was carried out by the OHB-Sweden team, who impressively managed to complete their tasks a full day ahead of schedule.For those interested, here’s some engineering detailsThe propulsion subsystem consists of several metres of tubing, ensuring that the hydrazine propellant, stored in the 177-liter tank, reaches all eight thrusters. These thrusters are arranged in pairs at the four corners of the satellite.To regulate propellant flow and facilitate fuelling and pressurisation, the system incorporates multiple valves, including flow control valves, latching valves, and service valves.Each thruster is safeguarded by two flow control valves positioned in series—both of which must be opened when the thruster is firing. For safety, these valves remain closed by default; unless powered, internal magnets keep them shut.The system is further divided into two thruster branches, each containing four thrusters, isolated from the main tank by latching valves. These bistable valves maintain their state—either open or closed—until actively switched, allowing controlled isolation or activation of an entire thruster branch.At this stage, all valves have been rigorously checked for leaks. The leak testing process involves pressurising one side of a closed valve with helium while creating a vacuum on the downstream side. A helium detector then measures any traces of gas that pass through. Given the internal volume and surface area involved, these tests require considerable time and precision.With the propulsion system successfully passing all checks, the satellite is now safeguarded against propellant loss once loaded, ensuring its readiness for propellant fuelling.While testing the propulsion subsystem is a meticulous and time-intensive task, it remains a crucial step in preparing for liftoff on a Vega-C rocket on 29 April.
Biomass is now protected and cozy inside Vega-C's fairing. Stay tuned for more updates on these last days before launch!
