Author Topic: Rokot/Briz-KM launch with three Swarm satellites - November 22, 2013 (Read 57916 times)

jacqmans · « **Reply #40 on:** 11/01/2013 09:38 pm »

11/01/2013
Daily 45

In the cleanroom 101A Khrunichev has prepared the interface brackets which shall be mated with the Swarm Flight Model (FM) 2 tomorrow morning.

In parallel Astrium has tested the satellite FM1. It was electrically connected via the launch vehicle adapter harness and switched on. At the same time the launcher upper stage Breeze-KM underwent preparations and pneumatical checks in the general hall.

bolun · « **Reply #41 on:** 11/02/2013 03:41 pm »

10/30/2013

The Launch of ESA’s Magnetic Field Mission from Plesetsk, Russia, has been postponed.

Following the decision to replace a unit in the Breeze upper stage of the Rockot launcher, the launch of ESA's magnetic field mission Swarm from Plesetsk, Russia, has been postponed.

Originally scheduled for 14 November, the launch is expected to be delayed by about one week. More details will be given as they become available.

http://www.eurockot.com/2013/10/the-launch-of-esas-magnetic-field-mission-from-plesetsk-russia-has-been-postponed/

jacqmans · « **Reply #42 on:** 11/04/2013 09:10 am »

11/02/2013
Daily 46

On this Saturday the second Swarm spacecraft was successfully hoisted on the launch vehicle adapter system. The upper stage was prepared for the electrical test tomorrow morning.

jacqmans · « **Reply #43 on:** 11/04/2013 09:10 am »

11/03/2013
Daily 47

While the ESA, Astrium and Eurockot teams had a day off, the upper stage Breeze-KM together with the first two stages (Booster) was successfully electrical tested. After lunch it started snowing in Plesetsk and the winter came back.

jacqmans · « **Reply #44 on:** 11/06/2013 08:58 am »

11/04/2013
Daily 48

The SWARM spacecraft flight model 2 was successfully electrically checked in 101A. At the same time the Breeze-KM upper stage was moved to the cleanroom 101B for the installation of the fairing.

jacqmans · « **Reply #45 on:** 11/06/2013 08:58 am »

11/05/2013
Daily 49

Today the 3rd and last SWARM satellite (FM 3) was successfully mounted on the launch vehicle adapter system. In cleanroom 101B the upper stage with the mounted fairing halves was prepared for the transport to the launch pad for the next electrical test.

Artyom. · « **Reply #46 on:** 11/06/2013 10:56 am »

According to http://www.itar-tass.com/c19/943771.html, the launch is planned on November 22.

jacqmans · « **Reply #47 on:** 11/07/2013 08:53 am »

11/06/2013
Daily 50

Today the ESA and Astrium Team switched on the SWARM Satellite FM3 and successfully checked the electrical components of the item. During the same time the upper stage of the launcher with the mounted fairings was brought to the launch pad and prepared for the electrical checks which take place tomorrow morning.

Artyom. · « **Reply #48 on:** 11/07/2013 01:08 pm »

Quote

Following the replacement of a unit in the Breeze upper stage of the Rockot launcher, the new launch date for Swarm is now 22 November at 12:02 GMT (13:02 CET).

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Swarm/Swarm_launch_postponed

jacqmans · « **Reply #49 on:** 11/07/2013 02:16 pm »

Press Release
N° 36-2013

Paris, 7 November 2013

Call for Media: Follow the launch of ESA’s Swarm magnetic field mission

ESA’s Swarm mission is ready for launch from Plesetsk, Russia on a Russian Rockot on 22 November at 12:02 GMT (13:02 CET). The three-satellite Swarm mission aims to unravel one of the most mysterious aspects
of our planet: the magnetic field.

Media representatives are invited to follow the launch via ESA TV or ESA’s website or attend the main launch event at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.

The magnetic field protects our planet from cosmic radiation and charged particles that bombard Earth in ‘solar winds’. Without this protective shield, the atmosphere as we know it would not exist, rendering
life on Earth virtually impossible.

Strong solar storms have the potential to cause power and communications blackouts, and to damage satellites orbiting Earth. A visible display of what happens when charged particles collide with atoms and
molecules in the upper atmosphere can be seen as waves of luminous green light in the polar skies – the auroras.

Earth’s magnetic field is in continuous flux. Magnetic north wanders and every few hundred thousand years the polarity flips, so that a compass would point south instead of north. The strength of the magnetic
field constantly changes – and it is currently showing signs of significant weakening.

By analysing the different characteristics of the field, the mission will provide new insights into many natural processes, from those occurring deep inside the planet to weather in space caused by solar
activity. In turn, this information will yield a better understanding of why the magnetic field is weakening.

Swarm’s measurements will also be used to improve the accuracy of navigation systems such as those carried on satellites. This will assist in improving earthquake prediction and increasing the efficiency
of drilling for natural resources.

Swarm is ESA’s fourth Earth Explorer mission, following GOCE, SMOS and CryoSat.
In its observations of Earth’s magnetic field, Swarm will benefit from the data from ESA’s Cluster scientific mission, launched in 2000 and still operational. Cluster is studying conditions within Earth’s
magnetosphere and its interaction with charged particles in the solar wind, using four satellites to map them in 3D over a range of scales.

Cluster’s satellites orbit at a distance of 10 000 km above Earth and thus provide complementary measurements to Swarm, which will operate at altitudes of up to 530 km.

Coverage

The launch will be transmitted live via satellite (details will be available on http://television.esa.int/) and webstreamed on ESA’s website: www.esa.int

ESA TV offers broadcasters extensive material on the Swarm mission and its preparation via special feeds from the Plesetsk cosmodrome before the launch, as well as a live launch transmission. Broadcasters
can consult http://television.esa.int/ for the latest information.

The latest high-resolution images can be found by registering on ESA’s Photo Library for Professionals: http://www.esa-photolibrary.com/

Questions on images for media can be directed to [email protected]

For the latest news and information on this innovative mission, visit www.esa.int/swarm

Programme at ESOC

11:00–11:45 Doors open

11:45–13:10
•Welcome by Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA Director General, and Prof. Volker Liebig, ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes
•European experts report on the development of the satellites, Earth’s magnetic field and their expectations of the Swarm mission
•Live launch coverage from the launch site in Plesetsk, Russia, and the ESA control room
•Liftoff is scheduled for 12:02 GMT (13:02 CET)

13:10–14:25 Lunch break and interview opportunities

14:25–14:50 Live coverage of satellite separation and acquisition of first signals

bolun · « **Reply #50 on:** 11/08/2013 09:02 pm »

11/07/2013

Swarm Launch from Plesetsk on 22 November 2013

The new launch date for the ESA’s Magnetic Field Mission, originally scheduled for 14 November, is confirmed for 22 November 2013 at 12:02 GMT (13:02 CET).

http://www.eurockot.com/2013/11/swarm-launch-from-plesetsk-on-22-november-2013/

For more details to Swarm launch campaign please read

http://www.eurockot.com/category/daily-news/

jacqmans · « **Reply #51 on:** 11/09/2013 11:20 am »

11/07/2013
Daily 51 (L-15)

On this Thursday morning in the cleanroom 101A, some remaining parts of Multi Layer Insulation (MLI) were installed on the 3 Swarm satellites. After that an antistatic foil was mounted on each spacecraft to protect the sensible solar panels. In parallel the launcher upper stage was undergoing the electrical checks on the launch pad.

jacqmans · « **Reply #52 on:** 11/09/2013 11:21 am »

11/08/2013
Daily 52 (L-14)

Today the lifting device for the adapter system was installed in the cleanroom 101A so that in the evening the adapter with the 3 SWARM satellites could be lifted on the dolly.

On the launcher side the Breeze-KM upper stage was transferred back to the integration facility MIK. In the cleanroom 101B Khrunichev specialists have started demating the fairing halves from the so called Spacehead.

jacqmans · « **Reply #53 on:** 11/12/2013 12:58 pm »

11/11/2013
Daily 54 (L-13)

Today all parties used the time for several preparation meetings for example for back transportation and movement of the electrical ground support equipment from MIK to the launch pad.

jacqmans · « **Reply #54 on:** 11/14/2013 01:21 pm »

11/12/2013
Daily 55 (L-12)

While the Upper Stage was filled with compressed gases today, the payload fairing was prepared in 101B. Several meetings and telecons has taken place to prepare the dress rehearsal, the launch day and the transportation of the containers after the launch back to Western Europe.

jacqmans · « **Reply #55 on:** 11/14/2013 01:22 pm »

11/13/2013
Daily 56 (L-11)

Today the launcher upper stage was fuelled with the oxidizer. After successful fuelling, the Breeze-KM upper stage will be moved from the fuelling facility back to the integration facility MIK. This movement will take place in the night to tomorrow.

Artyom. · « **Reply #56 on:** 11/19/2013 11:35 am »

Quote

Today, the satellite assembly was wrapped in thermal covering and transported by train to the launch tower. It was hoisted up to the top of the tower and then gently lowered to join the lower stages of the Rockot launcher.

http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/category/swarm/

Artyom. · « **Reply #57 on:** 11/20/2013 09:29 am »

Khrunichev information about the launch:

Swarm is one of ESA's Earth Explorer missions. They aim to improve our understanding of how Earth works as a system and the impact human activity is having on natural Earth processes.

Swarm will be the fourth Earth Explorer mission in orbit, following GOCE, SMOS and CryoSat, launched in March 2009, November 2009, and April 2010 respectively.

Earth Explorer missions form the science and research element of ESA's Living Planet Programme and focus on the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and Earth's interior.

Swarm is the third Earth Explorer Opportunity Mission within ESA's Living Planet Programme.Swarm is ESA's first constellation satellites for of Earth observation. The Swarm mission is designed to measure the magnetic signals that stem from Earth's core, mantle, crust, oceans, ionosphere and magnetosphere.

This will lead to better understanding of the processes that drive Earth's dynamo, which currently appears to be weakening. By studying the complexities of Earth's protective shield, Swarm will provide a clear insight into processes occurring inside the planet. Along with measurements of conditions in the upper atmosphere, a better knowledge of the near-Earth environment and the Sun's influence on the planet can be realized.

http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=657

jacqmans · « **Reply #58 on:** 11/20/2013 07:43 pm »

11/14/2013
Daily 57

Today the Breeze-KM upper stage arrived fuelled in the integration facility MIK. After lunch the adapter system with the three Swarm spacecraft was moved to the cleanroom 101 B and afterwards hoisted on the upper stage.

jacqmans · « **Reply #59 on:** 11/20/2013 07:44 pm »

11/15/2013
Daily 58 (L-7 corrected)

Today the switch on and the electrical checks of the 3 Swarm satellites after mating with the Breeze upper stage took place. In parallel the last parts of the upper stage were covered with Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) by Khrunichev specialists.

As has been reported, a fatal gas accident occurred on Nov 09, 2013 at Plesetsk Cosmodrome costing the lives of two officers of the Russian Space Forces and injuring three soldiers while working in a mobile N2O4 oxidizer tank.

The staff of Eurockot Launch Services GmbH offer their sympathies to the families, colleagues and friends of the demised.

Based on all available official information we confirm that this tragic accident is neither linked to Rockot nor to Swarm launch campaign activities and should not have any impact on the planned launch date of Nov 22, 2013.