Esa @AschbacherJosef some key milestones from the agency. Juice and Euclid launches in 2023, first launch of Ariane-6 in 2023 (“working full steam to get it done”). Discuss the impact of the economical turndown in space and remind us that space is necessary. #iac2022https://twitter.com/AllPlanets/status/1571473556805910529
https://spacenews.com/falcon-9-leading-candidate-to-launch-european-science-mission/
[Oct 18]QuoteEarthCARE, an Earth science mission also originally manifested on a Soyuz, will likely go on Vega C, Aschbacher said in August. Sentinel-1C, a radar mapping mission, will also launch on Vega C, while two pairs of Galileo satellites previously set to launch on Soyuz are expected to go on Ariane 6 instead.
He emphasized them any use of non-European launch options like SpaceX would be a temporary measure. “If we go to backup solutions that are not European, this is an interim solution, and Ariane 6 and Vega C will remain our baseline launchers,” he said.
ESA is scheduled to give an update Oct. 19 on the status of Ariane 6 testing that may include a new schedule for that vehicle’s first launch, which has slipped to some time in 2023.
QuoteAt press bfg right now, ESA DG Josef Aschbacher says they've decided to launch EarthCARE on a Falcon 9 instead of Vega-C both bc Vega-C return to flight will be delayed due to test failure and spacecraft requires cutouts to fairing and don't want to make changes at this point.
https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1674391123391926276
Cross-post:QuoteAt press bfg right now, ESA DG Josef Aschbacher says they've decided to launch EarthCARE on a Falcon 9 instead of Vega-C both bc Vega-C return to flight will be delayed due to test failure and spacecraft requires cutouts to fairing and don't want to make changes at this point.
https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1674391123391926276
QuoteESA Director General Josef Aschbacher says the relationship with SpaceX was "very professional." Launching EarthCARE on a Falcon 9 in the 2nd quarter of 2024; Hera in Oct. 2024.
Do they put these things on tables and simulate the the new launch conditions when they switch rides?
ESA probably have launch condition data of the Falcon 9 payload fairing interior from the studies for the Euclid mission. So additional shake table tests might not be needed.Do they put these things on tables and simulate the the new launch conditions when they switch rides?
Mathematical modeling: yes.
Exposure to Falcon 9 launch audio: Maybe, IDK. Good question for our forum experts.
Shimmy-shake table tests: IDK. Good question for our forum experts.
Do they put these things on tables and simulate the the new launch conditions when they switch rides?
Mathematical modeling: yes.
Exposure to Falcon 9 launch audio: Maybe, IDK. Good question for our forum experts.
Shimmy-shake table tests: IDK. Good question for our forum experts.
Do they put these things on tables and simulate the the new launch conditions when they switch rides?
Mathematical modeling: yes.
Exposure to Falcon 9 launch audio: Maybe, IDK. Good question for our forum experts.
Shimmy-shake table tests: IDK. Good question for our forum experts.
IIANM EarthCare (and Euclid and the other ESA payloads) were planned to launch on Ariane 6, which will have solid rocket side boosters.
As an all liquid propellant rocket, Falcon 9’s environments must be well within the limits, much less vibration and much less noise, than the Ariane 6 environments to which they were designed and for which they were qualified.
So documentation checking: yes
Extra environmental testing: no
(Ballasting to limit max acceleration? maybe)
Marcia Smith
Jun 29
@SpcPlcyOnline
At press bfg right now, ESA DG Josef Aschbacher says they've decided to launch EarthCARE on a Falcon 9 instead of Vega-C both bc Vega-C return to flight will be delayed due to test failure and spacecraft requires cutouts to fairing and don't want to make changes at this point.
QuoteMarcia Smith
Jun 29
@SpcPlcyOnline
At press bfg right now, ESA DG Josef Aschbacher says they've decided to launch EarthCARE on a Falcon 9 instead of Vega-C both bc Vega-C return to flight will be delayed due to test failure and spacecraft requires cutouts to fairing and don't want to make changes at this point.
ESA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency are gearing up for a momentous milestone in Earth observation as launch of the EarthCARE satellite approaches.
Following years of rigorous development and extensive testing, the satellite is now undergoing its final round of tests in Europe before being shipped to the launch site early next year – bringing us one step closer to gaining unprecedented insights into the role that clouds and aerosols play in the climate system.
The satellite is scheduled to be packed up and shipped to the Vandenberg launch site in California in early March, where it will be prepared for liftoff on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in May.
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/EarthCAREQuoteThe launch
Date: May 2024
Site: Vandenberg, California, US
Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
USN LEOP and TT&C Support for Earthcare from Alaska
Earthcare is an ESA mission which is set to launch on May 1st 2024.
Planned support from SSC is for a period of 180 days starting May 1st.
After years of development and a rigorous testing programme, ESA’s EarthCARE satellite has left Munich, Germany, and is now on its away to SpaceX’s launch site in Vandenberg, California. Once it arrives, it will be put into storage for a few weeks until it is time to ready the satellite for liftoff – which is scheduled to launch in May on a Falcon 9 rocket.
Farewell EarthCARE! 👋
Designed and built by Airbus, the latest @esa “Earth Explorer” spacecraft 🛰️ is now ready and packed up 📦. The climate monitoring satellite is leaving Europe 🛫 to its launch site 🛬 in Vandenberg, California.
EarthCARE is planned to be launched in May 🚀
This new satellite mission will quantify and reduce the uncertainty about the role that clouds and aerosols (tiny atmospheric particles) play in heating and cooling Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to our better understanding of climate change.
EarthCARE goes west for launch (https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-03-earthcare-goes-west-for-launch)
09 March 2024
The Airbus-built EarthCARE (Earth Clouds, Aerosols and Radiation Explorer) spacecraft has left Munich, Germany, and is now on its way aboard an aircraft to its launch site in Vandenberg, California. EarthCARE is planned to be launched in May on a Falcon 9 rocket.
[...]
After a smooth journey from Germany, ESA’s EarthCARE satellite has arrived at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Here, it is being stored over the next few weeks before it’s time get the satellite ready for liftoff in May.
The time to ready EarthCARE for liftoff has officially begun. After a few weeks in storage in the NASA building at the Vandenberg launch site in California, the satellite, still packed safely in its transport container, has been moved to the Astrotech building where it will be put though a round of final tests.
The launch campaign team has been reunited with EarthCARE after removing their precious satellite from its transport container.
A few days ago, the container was taken out of storage in the NASA building and moved by truck to the Astrotech where work to ready the EarthCARE satellite for liftoff has now begun.
“The team has a lot of work to do, the satellite is not only big, but extremely complex so everything has to be carefully checked and prepared before it is encapsulated within its Falcon 9 rocket fairing prior to launch towards the end of May.
With fuelling completed, the liftoff of @esa's #EarthCARE satellite is getting closer and closer!
Fuelling a satellite is slightly 😜 more complicated than fuelling your car: it involves special suits that only a designated team can wear, very hazardous hydrazine fuel and... a scale!
The scale is needed to carefully measure the fuel loaded: EarthCARE weighs 2200 kg (including a maximum of 310 kg fuel).
https://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/2024/05/13/earthcare-satellite-loaded/
In the absence of an announced NET launch date, NOTAMs, etc.; seeking insight...
Is it most probable EarthCARE will launch as soon as SLC-4E can turnaround after the NROL-146 launch?
Ditto re: LZ-4 landing? Therefore, not requiring OCISLY turnaround?
#EarthCARE launch campaign proceeds at full speed: today the Combined Operations should start with the mating on the Launch Vehicle Adapter.
In the absence of an announced NET launch date, NOTAMs, etc.; seeking insight...
#EarthCARE is not alone anymore at the launch site!
As these pics show, the satellite with the payload adaptor attached was moved and mated onto the launcher payload attach fitting.
@esa’s EarthCARE mission will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, no earlier than Tuesday 28 May 2024.
230909Z MAY 24
NAVAREA XII 370/24(18).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
2215Z TO 2255Z DAILY 28 MAY THRU 03 JUN
IN AREA BOUND BY
30-48.00N 121-37.00W, 30-42.00N 121-27.00W,
30-42.00N 121-12.00W, 30-55.00N 120-56.00W,
31-10.00N 120-56.00W, 31-55.00N 121-05.00W,
31-55.00N 121-09.00W, 31-02.00N 121-38.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 032355Z JUN 24.//
230858Z MAY 24
NAVAREA XII 369/24(17,19).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
2343Z TO 0016Z DAILY 28 MAY THRU 03 JUN
IN AREA BOUND BY
28-42.00N 145-12.00W, 28-16.00N 143-00.00W
45-31.00N 137-48.00W, 45-57.00N 140-34.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 040116Z JUN 24.//
NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice.Quote from: NGA230909Z MAY 24
NAVAREA XII 370/24(18).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
2215Z TO 2255Z DAILY 28 MAY THRU 03 JUN
IN AREA BOUND BY
30-48.00N 121-37.00W, 30-42.00N 121-27.00W,
30-42.00N 121-12.00W, 30-55.00N 120-56.00W,
31-10.00N 120-56.00W, 31-55.00N 121-05.00W,
31-55.00N 121-09.00W, 31-02.00N 121-38.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 032355Z JUN 24.//
NGA Space Debris notice.Quote from: NGA230858Z MAY 24
NAVAREA XII 369/24(17,19).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
2343Z TO 0016Z DAILY 28 MAY THRU 03 JUN
IN AREA BOUND BY
28-42.00N 145-12.00W, 28-16.00N 143-00.00W
45-31.00N 137-48.00W, 45-57.00N 140-34.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 040116Z JUN 24.//
NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice.
SPACEX EARTHCARE, VANDENBURG SFB, CA
PRIMARY: 05/28/24 2215Z-0016Z
BACKUP: 05/29/24 2215Z-0016Z
05/30/24 2215Z-0016Z
05/31/24 2215Z-0016Z
06/01/24 2215Z-0016Z
06/02/24 2215Z-0016Z
06/03/24 2215Z-0016Z
NextSpaceflight (https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/960); updated recently:Maps from the NGA notices. Fairing splashdown some 410km downrange, and second stage splashdown at one orbit.NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice.Area near the launch site seems to be closer to the coast than for Starlink launches, so...booster RTLS?
ESA EarthCARE payload rolling to the pad (video from local Facebook group)
Targeting Tuesday, May 28 for Falcon 9’s launch of the @ESA_EO EarthCARE mission to orbit from California → spacex.com/launches
SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, May 28 for Falcon 9’s launch of the ESA EarthCARE (Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer) mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 3:20 p.m. PT. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on Wednesday, May 29 at the same time.
A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.
This will be the seventh flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, and two Starlink missions. After stage separation, the first stage will land on Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
All Times Approximate
HR/MIN/SEC EVENT
00:01:07 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:19 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:23 1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:24 Stage 1 flip
00:02:24 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:02:36 1st stage boostback burn Starts
00:02:46 Fairing deployment
00:03:19 1st stage boostback burn ends
00:06:19 1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:38 1st stage entry burn completes
00:07:30 1st stage landing burn begins
00:07:46 1st stage landing
00:08:41 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:10:42 ESA’s EarthCARE satellite deploys
Here's a reminder tonight's launch coverage:
📽️the live coverage begins at 23:30 CEST where we'll hear from our mission scientists and spacecraft operators, then follow the launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, expected at 00:20 CEST.
In details:
23:34 Start of @esa WebTV Programme - Live from @esaoperations
00:05 @SpaceX live broadcast begins
00:20 Lift-off
00:30 Spacecraft deployment 01:12
Acquisition of signal
01:20 End of ESA TV webcast
PDF of online press kit. I assume that the event at T+10:42 is "EarthCARE deploys".
B1081-7Good news. B1081 in normal rotation. Last seen with fire after Starlink 8-1 landing, but this shows not an issue.
Liftoff time is closer and closer!
In the meantime let’s enjoy some pictures of our #EarthCARE satellite at the launch pad🚀🛰️
#EarthCARE has been switched to ‘pre-launch’ mode. All tests of the primary ground systems are complete!
At 3:20 PM PDT (22:20 UTC), SpaceX will launch ESA and JAXA’s EarthCARE climate research satellite from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Following launch, booster B1081 will return to land at LZ-4.
By William Graham (@w_d_graham) ⬇️
Team A is now on console at ESA mission control.
Team B, who have supervised #EarthCARE launch preparations up to this point, have completed the important ‘handover’, briefing Team A on the status of the spacecraft.
LAUNCH! Falcon 9 B1081-7 launches the EarthCARE mission for ESA.
Overview:
nasaspaceflight.com/2024/05/earthc… - by William Graham (@w_d_graham).
Staging 1-2.
Booster returning RTLS to LZ-4
Another happy landing:
And S/C Sep.
Seen above the edge of the advancing @Marine_layer from 19.4 miles NW of the pad, @SpaceX's Falcon 9 lofts the @esa @JAXA #earthcare satellite towards orbit before reentering for a landing at #Vandenberg. @NASASpaceflight
We hear you, #EarthCARE!
Hartebeesthoek station in South Africa has received the satellite’s first signals from space. Telemetry is arriving clearly at ESA mission control in Germany.
We have confirmation that #EarthCARE’s first deployment is complete: the satellite has spread its solar wing, and is generating power.
We have a mission!
Our first month with 13 Falcon launches. Congrats @SpaceX team!!!
Beautiful launch and landing of the @ESA_EO EarthCARE mission from Vandenberg SFB. This is a time lapse composite taken in one second intervals.
Me for @NASASpaceflight
Falcon 9 launches the @ESA_EO EarthCARE mission, first stage booster returns to Earth
CelesTrak has GP data for 1 object from the launch (2024-101) of ESA’s EarthCARE mission atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB on May 28 at 2220 UTC: spacenews.com/falcon-9-launc…. Data for the launch can be found at: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2024-101
Friedrichshafen, 29 May 2024 – The Airbus-built EarthCARE climate monitoring satellite has been successfully launched from Vandenberg military base, California. EarthCARE (Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer) is a joint undertaking between the European and Japanese Space Agencies (ESA and JAXA).Dear ESA, it's OK to show some professional courtesy and to mention the name of your launch provider.
QuoteFriedrichshafen, 29 May 2024 – The Airbus-built EarthCARE climate monitoring satellite has been successfully launched from Vandenberg military base, California. EarthCARE (Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer) is a joint undertaking between the European and Japanese Space Agencies (ESA and JAXA).Dear ESA, it's OK to show some professional courtesy and to mention the name of your launch provider.
QuoteFriedrichshafen, 29 May 2024 – The Airbus-built EarthCARE climate monitoring satellite has been successfully launched from Vandenberg military base, California. EarthCARE (Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer) is a joint undertaking between the European and Japanese Space Agencies (ESA and JAXA).Dear ESA, it's OK to show some professional courtesy and to mention the name of your launch provider.
It's an Airbus release.
This time ESA appears to have learned from the Galileo ridicule and has published the launcher where appropriate.
Well pooh on Airbus then.QuoteFriedrichshafen, 29 May 2024 – The Airbus-built EarthCARE climate monitoring satellite has been successfully launched from Vandenberg military base, California. EarthCARE (Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer) is a joint undertaking between the European and Japanese Space Agencies (ESA and JAXA).Dear ESA, it's OK to show some professional courtesy and to mention the name of your launch provider.
It's an Airbus release.
This time ESA appears to have learned from the Galileo ridicule and has published the launcher where appropriate.
Composite image of Falcon 9 disappearing into the marine layer and emerging again during yesterday’s launch and landing of the EarthCARE mission. The fog at Vandenberg can be an impossible challenge when trying to frame and focus a camera where you think the rocket might be. Thankfully this remote camera perfectly captured my guess, and the fog cleared just enough during launch to document the scene.
For @NASASpaceflight