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GIOVE-B is in orbit

27/04/2008 1512 views 0 likes

ESA / Applications / Satellite navigation / Galileo / GIOVE-B launch

After a flawless flight by the Soyuz/Fregat launcher, GIOVE-B has been accurately injected into its target orbit. The satellite is now under the control of Telespazio's spacecraft operations centre in Fucino, Italy, and in-orbit checkout of the satellite has begun.

Time (CEST/Paris)	Event
05:28	Confirmation of solar panel deployment The solar arrays that generate power for the spacecraft have been successfully unfolded and are generating power.
04:29	Start of solar array deployment GIOVE-B has begun to unfold the solar panels that will generate it's electrical power.
04:10	GIOVE-B separation from Fregat and orbit injection The Soyuz mission is complete. GIOVE-B is on orbit and will perform its launch and early orbit phase operations.
03:56	Fregat main engine cut-off
03:52	Fregat main engine third burn Fregat is using its main engine to transition from transfer orbit to GIOVE-B's target orbit.
02:43:42	End of telemetry reception
02:23:42	Start of telemetry reception for second burn status Information about the second burn is being downloaded from Fregat
02:08:09	Re-entry into Russian ground stations coverage area
01:07:58	Entry into ESA Santiago station coverage area
01:04:17	Injection into the transfer orbit Fregat and GIOVE-B are scheduled to reach the orbit that will carry them to GIOVE’s destination. No telemetry data.
01:04:07	Fregat main engine cut-off Scheduled autonomous engine cut-off. No telemetry data.
00:54:17	Start of Fregat main engine second burn The second burn is scheduled to have started autonomously. Since Fregat and GIOVE-B are out of sight of the ground stations, there is no telemetry data at this time.
00:36:18	Exit from Russian station coverage area Fregat and GIOVE-B have flown out of range of the Russian ground station network.
00:26:10	Fregat main engine cut-off The Fregat main engine has been turned off. Fregat and GIOVE-B have returned to ballistic flight.
00:25:51	Start of Fregat main engine first burn To reach the final orbit, several manoeuvres will be needed using the re-ignitable Fregat main engine. The first one has started.
00:24:51	Fregat separation The Soyuz third stage has separated. Fregat and GIOVE-B are continuing in ballistic (unpowered) flight.
00:20:49	Second stage separation The lower central core of the Soyuz has dropped away.
00:20:48	Third stage ignition The engine of the Soyuz third stage has been started.
00:20:15	Fairing jettison The fairing, or nosecone, that protected GIOVE-B and Fregat as Soyuz climbed through the atmosphere has been discarded.
00:18:00	First stage separation The four first stage boosters have separated and fallen away.
00:17:54	Transition of the lateral boosters to the intermediate thrust level The four boosters attached to the Soyuz central core have reduced power in preparation for separation.
00:16:10	End of vertical path, start of pitch turn After climbing vertically for eight seconds, the Soyuz has turned downrange.
00:16:02	Lift-off
00:13:57	Lift-off command (launch non-reversible) The command for lift off has been given.
00:13:27	Umbilical drop-off The umbilical links between the launcher and tower have been disconnected.
00:10:42	Key on start Final count down operations.
00:10:02	Fregat autonomous upper stage declared ready to launch
00:09:02	Autonomous upper stage initialised and switched to internal power Fregat is prepared for launch and running on battery power.
23:56:02	End of service tower retraction
23:46:02	Start of service tower retraction The tower enabling access to the Soyuz and its payload begins to move away from the launcher.