ESA Launch Live Feed

The European Space Agency is launching GOCE a sattelite that will measure subtle changes in the Earths gravitational field.

It launches at 15:20 UK time and can be watched live on this feed:


GOCE launch live feed

That is 16:20 Central European time, I'm not sure what time that is in the USA but its about 35 mins from now!!!

Just a sidenote.

How does one measure changes in earths gravitational field? That seems a bit perplexing to me, like do we really know what gravity is yet and can we create anti-gravity devices yet???

Tae a look at it too. its an amazing craft, looks like something out of the film V!!

GOCE sattelite

That is one fine looking satellite.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/2a5f3653b2b2.png[/atsimg]

Very space age

Apparently it's got to be sleek like that because of it's very low orbit - it will be travelling through the wisps of the extreme upper atmosphere.

Its saying launch delayed at the moment.
Any idea how long for?

There has been no updates since it said that it was delayed. That was about 10 minutes ago.

Press conference at 16:00 now apparently, dont think it will be launched today by the looks of things.

Thank you OP for the heads up

I love watching these launches.


Damn, they are posponding it 24 hours?


[edit on 16-3-2009 by Anom3]

I wonder what could have happened. Only 30 minutes ago the guy on radio was saying everything had been triple checked and was ready to go etc. All lights were green. Then this?

They are saying that there was a problem with the doors on the tower, the tower didnt release, not sure exactly what is the cause but looks like launching tomorrow. And apparently light snacks are available in the cafeteria. End of press conference.

Darn it. Ah well, the mission is a very important one so its understandable especially after the other recent launch mishaps. I was feeling peckish too, jammy gits get light snacks for their perseverance!

"The launch of ESA's Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) has been confirmed for Tuesday 17 March at 15:21 CET. The problem that halted today's countdown has been identified and solved. Launch will be streamed on this website and broadcast live on ESA TV."

From ESA web site.

Link

I think thats 2.20pm here UK time so 2 hours time if thats right?

Its another hour away now.
Is anybody else having troubles with the stream because all im getting is a black screen at the moment.

reply to post by pazcat


Yes me too. Although it does say the stream starts at 14:50 so maybe the stream hasnt opened up yet.

Live coverage starts in 16 minutes.
Im a little excited, not much but a little.

Thanks for the link. The live coverage is beginning now.

Now we got to wait 90minutes just to make sure its still up there. Surely they could of had another radio the other side of the world.

"The European Space Agency has just launched its gravity mapping satellite, Goce - after a day's delay.

It left Earth at 1421GMT on a modified intercontinental ballistic missile from north-west Russia.

The flight will not be declared a success until Goce separates from its rocket about 90 minutes after lift-off.

The mission will give scientists new insights into how the interior of the planet is structured and provide key information on how the oceans move.

Goce is heading for an initial altitude of about 280km on a trajectory that will circle the Earth from pole to pole."




BBC Story