Author Topic: LIVE: SMOS and PROBA-2 Launch - November 2, 2009 (Read 35481 times)

patchfree · « **Reply #40 on:** 10/21/2009 05:26 pm »

Daily 21 October, 2009 / L-12

Khrunichev finalized the upper composite (Space Head) today. The SMOS team started the day with charging of the flight batteries.

Tomorrow the SMOS/Proba-2 and Eurockot Logo will be stuck on the fairing.

On Friday, while the SMOS team has a day off, Khrunichev will finalize the electrical checks with the Space Head.

http://www.eurockot.com/alist.asp?cnt=20041077&main=3

jacqmans · « **Reply #41 on:** 10/23/2009 03:12 pm »

Guillermo Buenadicha is responsible for operating MIRAS - a completely new and sophisticated type of radiometer. With its own processor and on-board data storage, MIRAS performs many functions normally handled by an instrument's satellite platform. Its operation requires a careful blend of flight operations expertise together with instrument know-how.

Read more at:

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/smos/SEMPQ0YRA0G_0_iv.html

jacqmans · « **Reply #42 on:** 10/26/2009 06:32 am »

24-10-2009 Plesetsk Space Port: ESA`s SMOS/Proba 2 Prepared for Roll-Out

http://www.roscosmos.ru/NewsDoSele.asp?NEWSID=7910

The Khrunichev/ESA/Space Forces/Eurockot launch team preparing Rockot launcher for its 2 November launch with ESA`S SMOS and Proba -2 spacecraft successfully completed the spacecraft and rocket elements standalone checkouts. Rockot Upper Composite (consisting of the spacecraft, adapter, Breeze KM upper stage and the fairing) was integrated.

The upper composite is to be rolled out to the launch pad and installed on the Rockot`s booster assembly. The launch is to take place on Nov. 2.

jacqmans · « **Reply #43 on:** 10/26/2009 06:33 am »

Daily 22 October, 2009 / L-11

http://www.eurockot.com/alist.asp?cnt=20041079&main=3

The SMOS and Proba-2 teams started the day with charging the flight batteries.

The main Khrunichev activity today was to attach the SMOS/Proba-2 and Eurockot logo on the fairing. Then, after lunch time, all members of the SMOS and Proba-2 teams signed these logos followed by the Khrunichev team. Everybody had the opportunity to add his or her famous last words!

jacqmans · « **Reply #44 on:** 10/26/2009 06:34 am »

Daily 23 October, 2009 / L-10

SMOS / PROBA-2 Daily for October 23rd, 2009 (L-10 days):

While the SMOS team took a day off and travelled to Archangelsk the logistical activities of the launch day were planned today at the Rockot hotel in Mirny.

In the MIK Khrunichev finalized the electrical checks of the Space Head (upper composite) today.

On Monday the Space Head will be prepared for transportation to the Launch Pad.

http://www.eurockot.com/alist.asp?cnt=20041080&main=3

jacqmans · « **Reply #45 on:** 10/26/2009 06:35 am »

Daily 24+25 October, 2009 / L-9/L-8

In the last 2 days both satellite teams send several people to the Integration facility MIK to charge their flight batteries and to prepare the necessary documents for the dress rehearsal on Wednesday 28/29th October and the SMOS/ PROBA 2 launch which is planned for Monday morning 2nd of November.

In the evenings the discussions always went on in different meetings between Khrunichev, the SMOS- and the PROBA-2 teams. The whole launch night was planned in detail including all bus transfers to the MIK, the MCC and the undertable room at the Launch Pad, all communication lines checked to the S/C operation centers in Redu/ Belgium and Toulouse/France.
And finally not to forget the most important question: "Who of the team is where at which point of time in the launch night."

The launch itself (lift-off) is foreseen on the 2nd of November 01:50:51 (UTC).

This means 04:50:51 local time in Plesetsk and 02:50:51 in Western Europe Winter Time (CET).

The SMOS satellite separation is foreseen at:
03:00:44 (UTC) / 04:00:44 (CET)

The PROBA-2 separation is foreseen at:
04:50:06 (UTC) / 05:50:06 (CET)

http://www.eurockot.com/alist.asp?cnt=20041081&main=3

jacqmans · « **Reply #46 on:** 10/28/2009 08:58 am »

In readiness for launch on 2 November, ESA’s SMOS and Proba-2 satellites – encapsulated in the launcher fairing – have been transported from the cleanroom and installed in the launch tower at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.

Read more at:

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/smos/SEM37VZRA0G_0.html

jacqmans · « **Reply #47 on:** 10/28/2009 08:49 pm »

Press Release
No. 27-2009

Paris, 28 October 2009

Follow the launch of ESA's SMOS and Proba-2 satellites

ESA's SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) and Proba-2 (PRoject for OnBoard Autonomy) satellites are scheduled for launch on Monday 2 November at 02:50 CET on a Russian Rockot launcher from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia.

SMOS, ESA's water mission, is the first satellite designed both to map sea surface salinity and monitor soil moisture on a global scale, thus contributing to better understanding of the Earth's water cycle. Proba-2 will perform in-orbit demonstration of 17 advanced satellite technologies, solar observation experiments and plasma environment studies.

The main launch event for SMOS and Proba-2 will be held at ESA's ESRIN establishment in Frascati, Italy. ESA senior management and programme specialists will be on hand to give explanations and interviews.

Live TV transmission of the launch will provide quality pictures to broadcasters from Plesetsk and from mission control rooms at CNES/Toulouse in France and at ESA's Redu ground station in Belgium (for further details, see http://television.esa.int).

The media (and the general public) can also follow a web-streamed video transmission at: http://www.esa.int/smos or http://www.esa.int/proba

jacqmans · « **Reply #48 on:** 10/29/2009 07:56 am »

Daily 26 October, 2009 / L-7

Today the upper composite was moved to the General Hall and prepared for transportation to the launch pad tomorrow morning. It was covered with thermal blankets and finally vertically hoisted onto the railcar where it will remain air-conditioned until tomorrow morning.

http://www.eurockot.com/alist.asp?cnt=20041083&main=3

jacqmans · « **Reply #49 on:** 10/29/2009 07:57 am »

Daily 27 October, 2009 / L-6

The upper composite (space head) was moved to the launch pad today. The train left the MIK at 6 o'clock and arrived at the launch pad about 2 hours later.

The upper composite was hoisted to the first floor of the launch tower while Khrunichev was preparing the boosters for mating with it which took place successfully this evening.

http://www.eurockot.com/alist.asp?cnt=20041084&main=3

jacqmans · « **Reply #50 on:** 10/29/2009 07:58 pm »

The rehearsal of the countdown for the launch of SMOS and Proba-2 has taken place. The purpose of this simulation is to ensure that everything is in place for the day of launch – from the all-important operation and communication sequences and procedures to everyone involved knowing their positions.

Read more at:

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/smos/SEM61N4AD1G_0.html

jacqmans · « **Reply #51 on:** 10/29/2009 07:59 pm »

Daily 28+29 November, 2009 / L-5/L-4

Yesterday, October 28 and today, October 29, the dress rehearsal for the SMOS & Proba-2 launch took place in the Mission Control Center (MCC) in Mirny about 32 km away from the launch pad.

The dress rehearsal was mostly driven by the S/C operation centres and ground stations involved, to which the internal rehearsals of the Russian Space Forces were added.

Two key points were the green status of the launcher which was given about 4:25 h before the launch and the S/C "Go" signal which was given 40 minutes before the simulated "Lift-Off" of the launcher.

http://www.eurockot.com/alist.asp?cnt=20041085&main=3

jacqmans · « **Reply #52 on:** 10/30/2009 05:27 pm »

Live web streaming of the SMOS and Proba-2 launch on Monday 2 November starts at 02:20 CET (01:20 UT). Liftoff is scheduled to take place at 02:50 CET (01:50 UT). Streaming of the separation and Acquisition of Signal starts at 04:00 CET (03:00 UT) for SMOS and at 05:59 CET (04:59 UT) for Proba-2.

Watch the launch at:

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMCYXZRA0G_index_0.html

jacqmans · « **Reply #53 on:** 10/31/2009 08:08 am »

30 October 2009 - The Russian State Commission has given the go-ahead to fuel the Rockot launcher that will take ESA's SMOS and Proba-2 satellites into orbit. This formal authorisation confirms that launch can take place on 2 November at 02:50 CET (01:50 UT).

Full story:
http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEMRO2CUE1G_index_0.html

jacqmans · « **Reply #54 on:** 10/31/2009 08:16 am »

Daily 30 October, 2009 / L-3

The day started with battery charging of the two satellites while all parties proceed with packing of office equipment and all kinds of ground support equipments. Slowly the first SMOS containers were filled. In parallel the last documents for the launch were finalized.

This evening the formal key point for the fuelling of the 2 military Rockot stages will take place in front of members of the Military Space Forces, Khrunichev and the Customers. All parties have to give a "green light" for the launch and especially for fuelling tomorrow. With this key point one of the biggest steps for the forthcoming launch will have taken place.

http://www.eurockot.com/alist.asp?cnt=20041086&main=3