GIOVE-B launch timeline: what happens and when
After a successful launch rehearsal,
| Time from liftoff (hh:mm:ss) |
Time CEST/Paris (hh:mm:ss) |
Event |
| -00:30:00 | 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. |
| -00:20:00 | 23:56:02 | End of service tower retraction |
| -00:07:00 | 00:09:02 | Autonomous upper stage initialised and switched to internal power Fregat is prepared for launch and running on battery power. |
| -00:06:00 | 00:10:02 | Fregat autonomous upper stage declared ready to launch |
| -00:05:20 | 00:10:42 | Key on start Final count down operations. |
| -00:02:35 | 00:13:27 | Umbilical drop-off The umbilical links between the launcher and tower are disconnected. |
| -00:02:05 | 00:13:57 | Lift-off command (launch non-reversible) The command for lift off is given. |
| 00:00:00 | 00:16:02 | Lift-off |
| 00:00:08 | 00:16:10 | End of vertical path, start of pitch turn After climbing vertically for eight seconds, the Soyuz turns downrange. |
| 00:01:52 | 00:17:54 | Transition of the lateral boosters to the intermediate thrust level The four boosters attached to the Soyuz central core reduce power in preparation for separation. |
| 00:01:58 | 00:18:00 | First stage separation The four first stage boosters separate and fall away. |
| 00:04:13 | 00:20:15 | Fairing jettison The fairing, or nosecone, that has protected |
| 00:04:46 | 00:20:48 | Third stage ignition The engine of the Soyuz third stage is started. |
| 00:04:47 | 00:20:49 | Second stage separation The lower central core of the Soyuz drops away. |
| 00:08:49 | 00:24:51 | Fregat separation The Soyuz third stage separates. Fregat and |
| 00:09:49 | 00:25:51 | Start of Fregat main engine first burn To reach the final orbit, several manoeuvres are needed using the re-ignitable Fregat main engine. |
| 00:10:08 | 00:26:10 | Fregat main engine cut-off The Fregat main engine is turned off. Fregat and |
| 00:20:16 | 00:36:18 | Exit from Russian station coverage area Fregat and |
| 00:38:15 | 00:54:17 | Start of Fregat main engine second burn The second burn occurs autonomously, out of sight of the ground stations. There is no telemetry data. |
| 00:48:05 | 01:04:07 | Fregat main engine cut-off |
| 00:48:15 | 01:04:17 | Injection onto the transfer orbit Fregat and |
| 00:51:56 | 01:07:58 | Entry into ESA Santiago station coverage area |
| 01:52:07 | 02:08:09 | Re-entry into Russian ground stations coverage area |
| 02:07:40 | 02:23:42 | Start of telemetry reception for second burn status Information about the second burn is downloaded from Fregat |
| 02:27:40 | 02:43:42 | End of telemetry reception |
| 03:36:05 | 03:52:07 | Fregat main engine third burn Fregat uses its main engine to transition from transfer orbit to |
| 03:40:05 | 03:56:07 | Fregat main engine cut-off |
| 03:45:05 | 04:01:07 | The Soyuz mission is complete. |
| 04:13 | 04:29 | Start of solar array deployment |
| 05:12 | 05:28 | Confirmation of solar panel deployment The solar arrays that generate power for the spacecraft have been successfully unfolded and are generating power. |
| 06:34 | 06:40 | Stable Sun pointing after separation Confirmation that |
| 08:14 | 08:30 | Transition to Earth pointing mode |
